Subsidised Fuel and LPG Misused, Boni Hargens: Police Act Decisively and Swiftly

Jakarta – Senior political analyst Boni Hargens has expressed appreciation for the performance of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) in addressing and dismantling the case of misuse of subsidised fuel (BBM) and LPG. According to Boni Hargens, the Criminal Investigation Agency of Polri, under the leadership of Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has demonstrated extraordinary seriousness in tackling the misuse of subsidised fuel and LPG. “This step by Polri is not merely conventional law enforcement, but rather a smart institutional response to the complexities currently faced by Indonesia across social, economic, and geopolitical dimensions,” Boni Hargens stated to reporters on Thursday, 9 April 2026. Boni emphasised that amid increasingly intense global pressures, particularly the impact of Middle East conflicts on the international energy supply chain, the ability of domestic security institutions to respond quickly and accurately is key to stability. According to him, Polri has successfully understood that the misuse of energy subsidies is not merely a criminal issue, but a real threat to national economic resilience. He assessed that Polri’s professionalism continues to develop and is no longer reactive, waiting for public reports, but builds intelligence and investigative capacities capable of anticipating potential crises before they escalate. According to him, Polri has become a modern security institution that is adaptive to contemporary challenges. “Polri demonstrates high institutional sensitivity. They understand that the issue of subsidised fuel today cannot be separated from the global geopolitical context and the economic pressures felt by the people,” he stressed. He revealed that thousands of pieces of evidence have been secured, including 3-kilogram LPG cylinders that were misused, illegal conversion devices, modified subsidised fuel tanker vehicles, and transaction documents from smuggling networks. Each piece of evidence, he said, is an important fragment in dismantling the chain of organised crime that massively harms the state finances. In addition, Boni also appreciated Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo’s firm stance in stating that anyone involved in the misuse of subsidised BBM and LPG will be prosecuted. According to Boni, the Police Chief’s statement ‘Whoever the perpetrator is, they will definitely be prosecuted’ is not mere rhetoric, but a reflection of Polri’s institutional transformation that places impartial law enforcement as the main principle.