Kuantan Singingi Police Uncover Subsidised Fuel Misappropriation, Two Suspects Arrested
The Criminal Investigation Unit of Kuantan Singingi Police (Kuansing) has dismantled a subsidised fuel oil (BBM) embezzlement scheme involving Pertalite fuel at a petrol station in Sitorajo Kari Village, Kuantan Tengah District. Two suspects were arrested in the operation.
Kuantan Singingi Police Chief AKBP Hidayat Perdana explained that the case originated from a community report regarding suspicious activity at the petrol station. In response to this information, the Police Chief deployed a team to the location to conduct an investigation.
“The team then moved to the location and successfully apprehended two men suspected of misusing subsidised Pertalite fuel,” said AKBP Hidayat in his statement on Wednesday (11 March 2026).
From the location, officers apprehended two suspects: D (40), who acted as a broker, and A, who worked as the petrol station operator. Both were arrested at the petrol station while distributing Pertalite fuel on Monday (9 March).
“The suspects’ modus operandi involved filling Pertalite fuel into a Toyota Kijang vehicle whose tank had been modified to hold large quantities of fuel,” he explained.
Following interrogation, both suspects admitted to modifying the Kijang vehicle’s tank to store large quantities of fuel. The suspects obtained Pertalite using barcodes from two vehicles: BM-1167-SI and BM-1601-NE.
In addition to apprehending the two suspects, police also seized evidence including one modified Toyota Kijang vehicle, two barcodes, and cash totalling 1,030,000 rupiah, believed to be proceeds from the fuel distribution activities.
Both suspects were then brought to Kuansing Police Station for further investigation. For their actions, the suspects face charges under Article 40 number 9 of Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Job Creation, which amends Article 55 of Law Number 22 of 2001 on Oil and Gas.
“The suspects face a maximum prison sentence of six years and fines of up to 60 billion rupiah,” he added.
The Police Chief stressed that his department will continue to take action against subsidised fuel misuse practices that harm the state and the public. Particularly ahead of Eid 2026, surveillance will be intensified to prevent fraud and speculation schemes.
“Following the Regional Police Chief’s directive, we will conduct strict monitoring of fuel stations and distribution channels to ensure there is no fuel shortage or speculation. We also urge the public not to misuse subsidised fuel and to immediately report to the police if they become aware of similar activities,” he concluded.