Jambi Police Name Director of PT ASR Petrolin Energi as Suspect in Illegal Oil Depot Case

Investigators from the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Tipidter) of the Jambi Regional Police have identified the mastermind behind the fire at an illegal oil depot in Sukakarya Village, Kotabaru District, Jambi City, which occurred on 15 May 2026. Based on thorough investigation and strong evidence, police have named MDG, the director of PT ASR Petrolin Energi, as a suspect. Jambi Police Head of Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Erlan Munaji, accompanied by Director of Special Criminal Investigation Commissioner Taufik Nurmandia and Head of the Tipidter Sub-directorate, Senior Superintendent Hadi Handoko, confirmed the suspect’s designation at the Jambi Regional Police headquarters on Friday afternoon (10/7). ‘The suspect has been detained to undergo further examination,’ Erlan stated. He added that police had secured approximately six tonnes of illegally processed oil that survived the fire as supporting evidence. MDG, who managed the storage and transfer of illegal diesel fuel in the middle of a residential area, now faces severe penalties. He is suspected of committing criminal offences in the oil and gas sector and violating consumer protection laws, carrying a maximum sentence of around six years in prison and a criminal fine of up to Rp60 billion. Erlan explained that the case came to light following a massive fire that engulfed the yard of the PT ASR office on Friday evening, 15 May 2026. The location, situated in a densely populated settlement, shocked the public of Jambi City as flames consumed several vehicles inside the high-fenced office compound. Investigation results revealed that prior to the fire, suspect MDG had purchased and transported approximately eight tonnes of illegally processed diesel fuel from the Bayat area, Bayung Lencir, Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra. The fuel was then brought to his office yard for transfer. The fatal incident began during the process of transferring the illegal oil from a modified truck to a tanker truck bearing the PT ASR Petrolin Energi label with registration number BH 8347 LA. A spark from the pumping engine ignited the fuel load. The fire quickly grew and destroyed five vehicles trapped inside the office compound. The case has drawn serious police attention as the illegal activity was conducted in the centre of a residential area, posing a significant danger to the safety of the surrounding community.