Police Prepare to Crack Down on Sellers of 3kg LPG Above Maximum Retail Price

Lumajang, East Java (ANTARA) - The Lumajang District Police in East Java are prepared to take firm action against sellers of subsidised 3kg LPG who price their products above the maximum retail price (HET), as such practices constitute a violation. “The practice of selling 3kg LPG above the HET is a serious offence that directly impacts public welfare. Firm enforcement will be carried out without exception,” stated Lumajang Police Chief AKBP Alex Sandy Siregar during a coordination meeting on the stability of 3kg LPG and fuel oil (BBM) at the Lumajang Regent’s Office on Thursday. According to him, field findings indicate an unreasonable surge in prices at the retailer level, where subsidised LPG, which should be sold in accordance with regulations, is circulating at prices of Rp25,000 to Rp40,000 per cylinder. Meanwhile, during the coordination meeting, the reasonable price at the retailer level is a maximum of Rp20,000 per cylinder, while the HET at the depot level in this area is Rp18,000 per cylinder. He stated that this situation is not merely an administrative violation but has entered the category of distribution deviation that harms the public, particularly vulnerable groups who are the primary targets of the energy subsidy. As a concrete step, he continued, the police have begun comprehensive inspections since Thursday, and enforcement will not only be conducted at the district level but will also involve all ranks down to the sub-district level to ensure effective and uniform oversight. “We emphasise that the approach taken is comprehensive, starting from tracing the distribution chain, examining business actors, to gathering evidence of violations in the field,” he said. Every violation found will be addressed in accordance with applicable legal provisions. Not only administrative sanctions, but there is also the possibility of handling through civil and criminal channels, depending on the level of the violation committed. Five years He emphasised that selling 3kg LPG above the HET is a criminal act regulated under Law No. 8 of 1999 on Consumer Protection, with a maximum prison sentence of five years or a fine of up to Rp2 billion. Alex explained that 3kg LPG is part of the government’s subsidy programme, and its distribution must be safeguarded to ensure it reaches the intended targets. He also reminded that every distribution actor, from agents (depots) to retailers, has a moral and legal responsibility to maintain integrity in the supply of LPG. In addition to enforcement, the police are also inviting the public to play an active role in oversight. If they find indications of sales above the HET or other suspicious practices, the public is urged to immediately report to the authorities. “This effort is expected to break the chain of deviant practices that have so far been one of the causes of disruptions in price stability and availability of LPG in the market,” he said. With tightened oversight and consistent law enforcement, he added, the distribution of 3kg LPG in Lumajang Regency is expected to return to order, with prices under control and the benefits of subsidies truly felt by those entitled to them.