Gas Odour All Day Triggers Police Raid on LPG Subsidy Fraud in Jogja

A case of subsidised LPG being converted into non-subsidised cylinders has come to light after residents detected a strong odour of gas emanating from a rented house in Warung Boto, Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta. Police arrested four suspects. Jogja City Police Chief Commissioner Eva Guna Pandia said the case began with reports from residents who were suspicious because they could smell gas from morning until afternoon. ‘There was information from residents who could smell LPG gas from morning to afternoon, prompting them to report to the Jogja Police,’ she said at a case briefing at Mapolresta Jogja on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. She explained that the raid was conducted on 14 May 2026 at around 13:00 WIB at a rented house in Warung Boto, Umbulharjo, Yogyakarta. During the search, police found two suspects transferring contents from subsidised 3 kg LPG cylinders into non-subsidised 5.5 kg and 12 kg cylinders. ‘At the scene the perpetrators were transferring contents from 3 kg LPG cylinders to 5.5 kg and 12 kg non-subsidised cylinders,’ she said. Eva added that four suspects were secured: ST (53), the owner; AS (28), operational; and two other workers, IW (35) and BI (43). Police seized evidence including: 1 white Isuzu truck, 1 Grand Max pickup, 364 LPG cylinders of various sizes, 22 regulator hoses of the Zeppelin brand, 22 large buckets, 20 used plastic bags formerly containing ice blocks that have melted, 2 gas cylinder scales, and 125 red gas hoses, she said. She revealed that the illegal operation had been carried out since late April 2026 without official authorisation from the government or PT Pertamina. The suspects bought subsidised 3 kg LPG from retailers in Bantul and Kulon Progo at prices ranging from IDR 18,500 to IDR 23,500 per cylinder. ‘ST and AS ran this operation since late April 2026 without official authorisation from the government or Pertamina in terms of transport, trading, and distribution of LPG,’ she explained. ‘The suspects bought 3 kg LPG from retailers in Bantul and Kulon Progo at prices between IDR 18,500 and IDR 23,500,’ she added. According to Eva, the suspects admitted learning the technique for transferring the gas contents from YouTube. The mixed gas was then sold back to the public at prices cheaper than Pertamina’s official rates. ‘The suspects are charged under Article 55 of Indonesian Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Gas, as amended by Article 40(9) of Law No. 6 of 2023 on the Establishment of Perppu No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation into law, together with Articles 55 and 56 of the Indonesian Penal Code,’ she explained. ‘The penalties include up to six years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of IDR 60 billion,’ she concluded.