NTB Police Uncover Diversion of 800 Litres of Subsidised Diesel in Sumbawa

Mataram (ANTARA) - The Nusa Tenggara Barat Regional Police have uncovered an alleged diversion of subsidised fuel oil in the Alas area, Sumbawa Regency, securing 800 litres of diesel packaged in several plastic drums.

The Director of Special Criminal Investigation at NTB Police, Fx. Endriadi, in Mataram on Monday, said the revelation stemmed from public information regarding the transportation of large quantities of subsidised fuel in the Alas area.

“A special team conducted an investigation based on that information and successfully secured the suspects along with the vehicle used,” he said.

“The 800 litres of subsidised diesel had just been purchased from one of the petrol stations in Alas Subdistrict,” he added.

From initial examinations, he said, the subsidised fuel was intended to be resold in small quantities to fishermen on Bungin Island, Sumbawa Regency.

The perpetrators, whose number and identities have not been specified, bought the subsidised diesel at Rp6,800 per litre and then resold it at Rp8,000 per litre.

“The motive was to gain profit,” he stated.

“Currently, the suspects along with the evidence have been secured for further investigation,” he said.

The handling of the case refers to alleged violations of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Natural Gas as amended by Law No. 6 of 2023 on Job Creation.

Endriadi emphasised that his side is committed to tightening supervision of the distribution of subsidised fuel to prevent misuse practices that harm the public, especially the subsidised recipient groups.