Operator secretly sold subsidised fuel at night using customer barcodes, causing nearly Rp2 billion in state losses
A fuel station operator in Batam is facing serious legal consequences after being caught selling over 200,000 liters of subsidised Pertalite fuel illegally over five months. The case came to light after a viral video and has triggered broader investigations.
Viral Video Exposes Nighttime Fuel Scam
The case began after a video went viral on social media, showing a minor filling jerrycans with subsidised Pertalite at a fuel station in Kabil, Batam.
Following the video, the Riau Islands Police Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus Polda Kepri) launched an investigation and arrested a fuel pump operator identified only as D.
D was employed at Fuel Station No. 14.294.716 (PT Laras Era Perdana) had been operating a covert sale of Pertalite fuel at night, using customer barcodes to bypass the station’s transaction limits.
This allowed him to transfer fuel into jerrycans, with the assistance of underage individuals, without drawing attention from management or law enforcement.
Five Months of Illicit Sales
According to AKBP Zamrul Aini, Head of the Economic Crimes Unit, D began the illegal sales in December 2024.
He sold 130 to 150 liters of Pertalite per night, collecting Rp5,000 to Rp10,000 per jerrycan depending on it held 30 or 40 liters.
Over five months, the total volume sold reached 200,000 liters of subsidised fuel, resulting in an estimated Rp1.995 billion (approximately S$155,600) in state losses.
All transactions were conducted in cash, without proper receipts or documentation.
Seized Evidence and Surveillance Footage
During the operation, investigators secured a range of physical and digital evidence that confirmed the illegal activity.
Items seized included two electronic data capture (EDC) machines used for processing fuel sales, four jerrycans, a motorized tricycle believed to be used for transporting fuel, and the fuel station operator’s uniform and cap.
Police also confiscated Rp100,000 in cash, a flash drive containing CCTV footage, and printed sales transaction records. The CCTV footage was especially critical, revealing a consistent pattern of nighttime fuel transactions, backing up reports of long-term abuse.
The video also featured a minor assisting in the refuelling, prompting public concern.
Police have clarified that the child is being treated purely as a witness, and not as a suspect in the case.
Suspect May Not Be Acting Alone
Investigators are now examining the possible complicity of fuel station supervisors or management, who may have ignored, or even enabled the illegal operation.
“If strong evidence is found, their status could be raised from witness to suspect,” Zamrul warned in a press conference on May 7, 2025, held at Riau Islands Police Headquarters.
The use of borrowed customer barcodes and the precision of the nightly operations suggest a level of premeditation not typical of lone actors. The investigation remains ongoing, with additional witness interviews and forensic analysis of digital and sales records.
Legal Charges and Maximum Penalty
D is being charged under Article 40 point 9 of Law No. 22 of 2001 on Oil and Gas, along with Article 55 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, which addresses those who aid or abet in criminal activities.
If found guilty, he faces up to six years in prison and a fine of up to Rp60 billion (around S$4.68 million).
Authorities stated this is the first major Pertalite-related abuse case ever uncovered by the Riau Islands Police.
In response to the case, Police Spokesperson Kombes Pol. Zahwani Pandra Arsyad urged the public to report any suspicious activities involving subsidised fuel.
He emphasized that government subsidies are meant to support low-income communities and must not be exploited for personal gain.
This case underscores the importance of transparency and monitoring in fuel distribution systems, especially as public reliance on government-regulated fuel continues to grow amid rising living costs.
The illegal Pertalite sales in Batam reveal a dangerous gap in subsidy enforcement and monitoring. As authorities deepen their investigation, the case serves as a warning to fuel operators and business managers across Indonesia and neighbouring regions to uphold strict compliance—or face severe consequences.
Sources: Batam News (2025), Liputan6 (2025)
Keywords: Batam Fuel Crime, Illegal Pertalite Sales, Fuel Station Operator Arrested, Subsidised Fuel Fraud, Riau Islands Police, Fuel Misuse Indonesia
