Koster asks local leaders to form task force to oversee fuel distribution

The move is intended to ensure that subsidised fuel is distributed to the right recipients, in the right quantities and for the intended purpose.

Denpasar (ANTARA) – Bali Governor Wayan Koster has asked regents and mayors across the province, in a letter numbered B.21.500.1/16672/V/Disnaker.Esdm, to promptly establish task forces to monitor and oversee the distribution of subsidised fuel at filling stations.

“This step is being taken to ensure that subsidised fuel is distributed to the right recipients, in the right quantities and for the intended purpose,” Koster said in Denpasar on Saturday.

The directive is also intended to prevent long fuel queues and schemes by certain individuals to manipulate refuelling at filling stations, while maintaining public peace and order.

Under the instruction, the Bali Provincial Government has asked local leaders to include 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 recipients, in the right quantities and for the intended purpose,” he said.

In addition to general oversight, the task forces are to investigate individuals who manipulate the purchase of subsidised fuel at filling stations.

“This includes people who modify vehicle fuel tanks to increase their capacity, use illegal vehicle registration plates, or commit other forms of fraud intended to obtain subsidised fuel in ways that do not comply with the regulations,” Koster said.

The task forces must also ensure that limits on subsidised fuel purchases are applied according to the criteria for eligible vehicles when long queues occur.

This includes applying the next-refuelling limit after at least 70 per cent of the previous purchase has been used, based on the latest purchase data and the vehicle’s odometer reading, in line with its specifications.

“This oversight is important to ensure that vehicles that have reached their quota do not cause long queues or congestion around filling stations,” the governor said.

District and municipal governments, together with relevant agencies, have also been instructed to take firm action against any violations found in the field.

“We have instructed that administrative sanctions be imposed, ranging from reprimands and warning letters to licence revocation, and/or that cases be referred to law enforcement for penalties against filling station operators or vehicle owners found to have repeatedly committed violations or met the elements of an offence, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations,” he said.