Pertamina Babel blocks 800 vehicle barcodes for siphoning subsidised fuel
Pangkalpinang (ANTARA) - PT Pertamina Patra Niaga of Bangka Belitung Province has blocked 800 vehicle QR codes and fake number plates over indications of subsidised fuel misuse in the region.
“As of mid-July this year, we have blocked 800 barcodes belonging to four-wheeled vehicles,” said Satriyo Wibowo Wicaksono, Sales Area Manager of Pertamina Patra Niaga Bangka Belitung, during an inspection of the Pangkalan Baru petrol station in Central Bangka Regency on Wednesday.
He said the blocking of the 800 vehicle barcodes and fake number plates was a step by the company to ensure the distribution of subsidised fuel is accurately targeted and benefits the intended communities in the region.
In addition, the blocking of vehicle barcodes also serves to anticipate long queues of vehicles at petrol stations across the area.
“The blocked vehicles held multiple barcodes and numerous number plates to siphon subsidised fuel, which triggered long queues at petrol stations here,” he said.
He stated that, based on field monitoring, the long vehicle queues in recent days were triggered by many vehicles making repeated purchases at petrol stations using fake number plates and duplicate barcodes.
“Our field findings show many identical or duplicate barcodes being used, along with fake number plates, to buy subsidised fuel at petrol stations,” he said.
He urged the public to buy fuel according to their needs and not to panic, as fuel stocks in Bangka Belitung are more than sufficient to meet people’s needs.
“We hope the public will not be provoked by circulating rumours, because fuel stocks and supplies are running smoothly to meet the community’s fuel needs,” he said.
He also called on the public to use energy wisely, particularly when purchasing fuel, as the availability of fuel, especially subsidised fuel, is sufficient to meet the needs of residents in the region.
“We urge the public to use energy wisely and to buy fuel only as needed,” he said.