Koster Asks Bali Regional Leaders to Establish Fuel Distribution Task Forces
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has asked regents and mayors to immediately establish task forces to monitor and oversee the distribution of subsidised fuel at petrol stations, in a letter numbered B.21.500.1/16672/V/Disnaker.Esdm.
“This measure is being taken to ensure that subsidised fuel is distributed to the right people, in the right quantities and for the right purpose,” Koster said in Denpasar on Saturday (17 October), as quoted by Antara.
The directive is also intended to prevent long fuel queues and schemes by certain individuals to manipulate fuel purchases at petrol stations, while maintaining public peace and order.
Under the instruction, the Bali Provincial Government has asked local leaders to include representatives of the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the Civil Service Police Unit, the Transport Agency, Hiswana Migas and PT Pertamina Patra Niaga in the task forces.
“The task forces will monitor and oversee the distribution of subsidised fuel to ensure it reaches the right people, in the right quantities and for the right purpose,” he said.
In addition to general monitoring, the teams have been instructed to investigate individuals suspected of manipulating purchases of subsidised fuel at petrol stations.
“Investigations will cover actions such as modifying vehicle fuel tanks to increase their capacity, using illegal vehicle registration plates, and other forms of fraud intended to obtain subsidised fuel in violation of the rules,” Koster said.
The task forces must also ensure that limits on subsidised fuel purchases are applied according to the criteria set for eligible vehicles when long queues occur.
This includes restricting subsequent fuel purchases until at least 70 per cent of the previous fill has been used, based on the latest purchase data and an odometer reading consistent with the vehicle’s specifications.
“This monitoring is important to ensure that vehicles which have reached their quota do not cause long queues or congestion around petrol stations,” Koster said.
District and municipal governments, together with the relevant agencies, have also been instructed to take firm action against any violations found in the field, without exception.
“We have instructed that administrative sanctions be imposed, ranging from warnings and written reprimands to licence revocation, and/or that cases be referred to law enforcement for sanctions against petrol station operators or vehicle owners found to have committed violations or repeatedly met the criteria for an offence, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations,” he said.