In Central Java, Practice of Mixing Subsidised Gas Causes State Losses of Billions of Rupiah

Police in Central Java province have uncovered several cases of the misuse of subsidised 3kg LPG cylinders throughout 2026. PT Pertamina Patra Niaga has commended this, given the global energy supply disruptions caused by conflicts in the Middle East. Towards the end of January 2026, Central Java Police dismantled a practice of mixing 3kg subsidised LPG into non-subsidised cylinders in Semarang city. In the case, Central Java Police arrested four suspects: TDS, YK, PM, and FZ. The four were involved in mixing operations at three different locations: a house and warehouse in Pudak Payung Ward, Banyumanik Subdistrict, Semarang City; a house in Kalisegoro Ward, Gunungpati Subdistrict, Semarang City; and a warehouse in Keji Village, Ungaran Barat Subdistrict, Semarang Regency. “We have secured the four perpetrators along with evidence of 2,178 gas cylinders, consisting of 1,780 3kg gas cylinders, 138 55kg gas cylinders, and 220 12kg gas cylinders,” said Director of Special Criminal Investigation of Central Java Police, Senior Commissioner Djoko Julianto, during a press conference on 23 January 2026. He revealed that from the mixing operation, the perpetrators obtained substantial profits. “The perpetrators could reap profits of up to billions of rupiah per month,” he said. Djoko explained that from the investigation of the case, they also gathered expert testimony. “We have communicated with expert witnesses, then coordinated, so the state losses are approximately Rp10 billion over two months of the illegal activities carried out by the perpetrators in the Central Java region,” he stated.