Fuel Task Force Cracks Down on Thuggery at Petrol Stations in South Kalimantan
Efforts to curb thuggery and the misappropriation of subsidised fuel distribution in the South Kalimantan region are being intensified by the Provincial Government and Law Enforcement Task Forces. The Director of General Criminal Investigation of the South Kalimantan Regional Police (Polda Kalsel), Kombes Frido Situmorang, revealed that several individuals involved in extortion and illegal levies at petrol stations have been detained. “During operations at several petrol stations yesterday, officers apprehended several individuals involved in illegal levies against drivers, along with evidence in the form of the extorted money,” Frido stated on Monday (18/5).
The enforcement operation targeted several petrol stations suspected of being hotspots for illegal levies and the diversion of subsidised fuel distribution. These included stations on Jalan Trikora in Banjarbaru, Benua Anyar in Banjarmasin, Bati-Bati in Tanah Laut Regency, and Anjir Pasar in Barito Kuala Regency. The operation was conducted on Saturday (16/5), led by the Sub-directorate of Criminal Acts Kompol Dedy Yudanto.
Furthermore, on Sunday (17/5), the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Banjarmasin City Police also conducted enforcement actions against thuggery and extortion at petrol stations. At least four individuals suspected of extorting truck and transport drivers were detained at two stations in Banjarmising: SPBU Basirih on Jalan Gubernur Soebarjo and SPBU Benua Hanyar in East Banjarmasin.
These extortion practices were uncovered after police officers went undercover as truck drivers. While queuing for BioSolar, drivers were being charged Rp100,000 just to secure a place in the queue.
These acts of thuggery, extortion, and the imbalance in subsidised fuel distribution have become a serious concern for the Governor of South Kalimantan, Muhidin. Such activities have triggered shortages of fuel, particularly BioSolar, and recently led to large-scale protests by transport drivers from various regions across South Kalimantan.
Drivers have expressed frustration, alleging that law enforcement has previously turned a blind eye to blatant fuel diversion practices. It is alleged that these thuggery and fuel mafia activities involve cooperation with certain petrol station owners and are protected by rogue officials. Drivers have reportedly been forced to pay between Rp200,000 and Rp400,000 to secure a queue position and are compelled to purchase BioSolar at prices as high as Rp12,000 per litre, significantly higher than the government-mandated price of Rp6,800 per litre.
In addition to the thuggery, drivers also raised concerns regarding a monopoly on subsidised fuel by regional transport organisations (Organda), which prevents drivers outside these organisations from receiving their allocation. There are also allegations regarding the diversion of subsidised diesel distribution to the mining sector, where retail prices for diesel have been seen reaching as high as Rp20,000 per litre.