Pontianak Police arrest five men in suspected Pertalite fuel misuse case
Pontianak, Thekabarnews.com—Pontianak police arrested five suspects linked to the misuse of subsidized fuel. Police found what they believe to be an operation involving modified motorcycle fuel...
Pontianak, Thekabarnews.com—Pontianak police arrested five suspects linked to the misuse of subsidized fuel. Police found what they believe to be an operation involving modified motorcycle fuel tanks.
Around 4:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 15, police from the Pontianak Selatan Police Sector arrested the suspects on Imam Bonjol Street, Gang Haji Ali, Pontianak, West Kalimantan.
The South Pontianak Police Sector chief, Inayatun Nurhasanah, says that the investigation started after people in the area said they saw something strange going on. In addition, witnesses told the police that they saw people moving gas from motorcycles into several jerrycans.
Police officers went to the scene after getting the report. They say they saw the five men moving Pertalite from motorcycles with modified fuel tanks into containers. These are often called “siluman tanks” in the area.
Police suspect the modified tanks allow motorcycles to carry more fuel than normal tanks. Therefore, such modifications would let the people who used them buy subsidized gasoline over and over again. They could then move it into jerrycans.
Police took several pieces of evidence from the scene, such as motorcycles with the altered tanks. They also took more than a dozen jerrycans. They think these jerrycans held the subsidized fuel.
Then, the officers took the suspects to the Pontianak Selatan police station to ask them more questions.
Nurhasanah said that police are still looking into the case. Police are also investigating whether the suspects violated regulations on the distribution and use of subsidized fuel.
Law No 22/2001 on Oil and Gas governs the management and distribution of fuel resources in Indonesia. Authorities could use the law to charge the suspects if they prove the allegations.
The law allows authorities to sentence individuals who illegally distribute or misuse subsidized fuel to up to six years in prison.
Recently, authorities have increasingly focused on cases of individuals misusing subsidized gasoline. The Indonesian government gives people money to help keep fuel prices low. However, illegal resale and hoarding can make it harder for people who need it to get it.
Police will monitor suspicious fuel transactions. They will also encourage the public to report unusual activities related to subsidized fuel distribution.
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