NTT Vehicle Tax Defaulters Banned from Buying Subsidised Fuel

Vehicle owners in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) who are in arrears on their motor vehicle tax (PKB) will be prohibited from purchasing subsidised fuel. The policy was enacted by the Governor of NTT, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena. Melki stressed that the ban on purchasing subsidised fuel for vehicles that have not paid their vehicle tax is intended to ensure energy subsidies are precisely targeted. This policy also serves as an effort to uphold the principle of fairness. “Citizens who have fulfilled their obligation to pay taxes must obtain their right to receive subsidised fuel. Do not let those who are compliant lose their rights because the quota has been exhausted by parties who do not meet their obligations,” said Melki. The ban on purchasing subsidised fuel for vehicles with unpaid taxes is stipulated in East Nusa Tenggara Governor Regulation Number 13 of 2025 concerning the Optimisation of Motor Vehicle Tax, Vehicle Fuel Tax, and Heavy Equipment Tax. Melki revealed that the regulation was issued to improve taxpayer compliance while ensuring that the subsidised fuel quota allocated by the central government is genuinely enjoyed by entitled citizens. According to Melki, the regional government has received numerous reports regarding the rapid depletion of subsidised fuel quotas at several public fuel filling stations (SPBU). Following an evaluation, one of the causes was the presence of vehicles with out-of-province plates and vehicles in tax arrears purchasing subsidised fuel. Therefore, only vehicles with NTT plates bearing the codes DH, EB, and ED are permitted to purchase subsidised Pertalite and Diesel in NTT. The condition is that these vehicles must have settled their vehicle tax. Meanwhile, vehicles with number plates from outside the NTT region or NTT-plated vehicles that still have tax arrears cannot obtain subsidised fuel. “This is not to complicate matters for anyone. We want to ensure that subsidies are truly received by the citizens who are entitled to them. Those who have fulfilled their obligations must receive their rights,” said Melki.