inp.polri.go.id - Central Java. The Central Java Regional Police's Special Criminal Investigation Directorate has uncovered a case of misuse of subsidized 3-kilogram LPG gas cylinders, which led to shortages and price spikes on the market.
In this investigation, police arrested four individuals and thousands of gas cylinders from several locations in Semarang city and regency. This action was taken as part of the police's effort to protect the public, especially ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the Central Java Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Djoko Julianto, stated that the investigation began with public reports regarding the scarcity and high price of 3-kilogram LPG cylinders on the market.
"From our investigation, we discovered the misuse of subsidized LPG by transferring gas from 3-kilogram LPG cylinders to non-subsidized LPG cylinders," said Djoko Julianto, on Friday (1/23/2026).
The illegal activity was discovered to have taken place in three locations: a house and warehouse in Pudak Payung Village, Banyumanik District, Semarang City; a house in Kalisegoro Village, Gunungpati District, Semarang City; and a warehouse in Keji Village, West Ungaran District, Semarang Regency.
In the investigation, police named four suspects with the initials TDS, YK, PM, and FZ. The four played different roles, including procuring subsidized LPG, injecting or transferring the gas, and selling the injected non-subsidized LPG.
In addition to the suspects, officers confiscated 2,178 LPG gas cylinders, consisting of 1,780 3-kg LPG cylinders, 138 5.5-kg LPG cylinders, 220 12-kg LPG cylinders, and 40 50-kg LPG cylinders. Police also seized dozens of gas syringes, modified iron hoses and pipes, scales, refrigerators, and a pickup truck.
Djoko Julianto emphasized that this practice is very detrimental to the public because subsidized LPG, which should be intended for the underprivileged, is instead misused for personal gain.
For their actions, the suspects are being charged under Article 55 of Law Number 22 of 2001 concerning Oil and Gas, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning Job Creation and/or Article 62 paragraph (1) of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection. The penalty is a maximum of six years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to IDR 500 million.
(ad/fa/pr/rs)
