SP-Indonesia.com, Indonesia – The Sub-Directorate of Law Enforcement, Directorate of Water Police, Riau Islands Regional Police, uncovered an alleged misuse of subsidized fuel, Pertalite, in the Sungai Harapan industrial area, Sekupang District, Batam City, on Wednesday afternoon (May 6, 2026).
A man identified as HS was arrested after being caught purchasing and selling subsidized fuel using a recommendation letter from the Batam City Transportation Agency, which was allegedly used for fictitious purposes.
The Head of the Sub-Directorate of Law Enforcement of the Water Police Directorate of the Riau Islands Regional Police, AKBP Andyka Aer, told reporters on Thursday evening (May 7, 2026) that the case began at approximately 4:45 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time) when officers were conducting an investigation at the 13.294.705 Tanjung Riau gas station in Sekupang District, Batam City.
During the investigation, officers observed a black Daihatsu Xenia with license plate number BP 1640 RJ filling up several jerry cans with subsidized Pertalite fuel.
“During the investigation, the team observed a black Daihatsu Xenia with license plate number BP 1640 RJ filling up jerry cans with subsidized Pertalite fuel and loading them into the vehicle,” Andyka said.
Officers then followed the vehicle until it arrived at a roadside stall in the Sungai Harapan industrial area, Sekupang District, at around 5:20 PM WIB.
At the location, the team found the vehicle stopped and unloaded two jerry cans of Pertalite, which they then sold to the stall owner.
“The team arrested the driver, HS, and a black Daihatsu Xenia with the license plate number BP 1640 RJ, along with 14 jerry cans of Pertalite and 17 empty jerry cans,” he confirmed.
Initial investigation revealed that HS was involved in purchasing subsidized fuel from gas stations using a recommendation letter from the Batam City Transportation Agency, which he then resold to the public.
According to Andyka, HS had a recommendation letter to purchase Pertalite fuel intended for a passenger or cargo ship named SB. OCEAN REANTH, with a quota of 30,000 liters per month.
“HS had a recommendation from the Batam City Transportation Agency to purchase Pertalite fuel for a passenger or cargo vessel, the SB OCEAN REANTH, with a monthly quota of 30,000 liters,” explained Andyka.
However, preliminary investigations indicate that the vessel listed in the recommendation letter is allegedly non-existent or fictitious, based on HS’s confession to investigators.
On Wednesday (May 6, 2026), HS was recorded as purchasing 1,055.5 liters of Pertalite fuel at a price of Rp 10,000 per liter at the Tanjung Riau gas station, which was then transferred into several jerry cans.
Police also revealed that the total subsidized fuel purchases throughout May 2026 reached 3,568.4 liters, with a remaining quota of 26,431.6 liters. HS is said to have been buying and selling subsidized fuel using the recommendation letter since January 2026.
“HS has been buying and selling Pertalite fuel using the recommendation letter since January 2026,” added Andyka.
HS and the evidence are currently being held at the Riau Islands Regional Police’s Water Police Directorate for further investigation into the alleged misuse of the transportation and/or trade of subsidized fuel without a permit, as stipulated in the Oil and Gas Law.
(Indonesian Reporter: Jim)
