Viral: Official Vehicle in Tuban Allegedly Switches to Private Plates to Buy Subsidized Pertalite

Jakarta - A video has gone viral showing an alleged fraudulent practice by an official within the Tuban Regency Government. An official vehicle with red (government) plates was allegedly switched to black (private) plates so it could be filled with subsidized Pertalite fuel.

The act was captured on camera by a local resident and allegedly took place at a gas station on Jalan Wahidin Sudiro Husodo, Latsari Subdistrict, Tuban District.

In the video, a car with license plate number S-1814-EP is seen filling up with Pertalite using black plates. However, vehicle registration data shows that this license plate number is allocated to an official vehicle belonging to the Tuban Regency Government.

Responding to the viral video, Tuban Regional Secretary Budi Wiyana said he had not yet received a detailed report on which unit was involved. However, he emphasized that altering an official vehicle’s identity is a violation of regulations.

“So we’ll look into it first. From a regulatory standpoint, changing the plates is clearly not allowed. I don’t have every vehicle’s hull number memorized, let alone four-digit numbers,” Budi Wiyana said, as reported by detikJatim on Friday (13/2/2026).

Meanwhile, Tuban Police Chief AKBP Alaiddin affirmed that under the law, altering or forging vehicle registration plates carries criminal consequences.

“We will compile the data first. Our initial approach will be persuasive, and we will collaborate and communicate with the local government regarding the use of these license plates,” Alaiddin stated.