inp.polri.go.id - Surabaya. The East Java Regional Police uncovers the misuse of subsidized fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at 22 locations with loss estimated to reach IDR 35.7 billion.
“From these illegal practices, we have identified 21 suspects,” says the East Java Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Dekananto during a press conference in Surabaya, Monday (11/2/2026).
He says that the case was uncovered following law enforcement by related authorities, including the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), Pertamina, and the East Java High Prosecutor's Office.
The action was taken in response to public unrest caused by the scarcity of subsidized fuel and LPG.
He explained that the 22 locations where the raids were conducted were spread across Mojokerto, Tulungagung, Blitar, Sidoarjo, Pasuruan, Probolinggo, Kediri City and Regency, Lamongan, Bondowoso, Banyuwangi, Lumajang, and Situbondo.
From the action, police confiscated 2,734 liters of Pertalite, 24,799 liters of subsidized diesel, and 434 LPG cylinders, consisting of 250 three-kilogram cylinders and 184 12-kilogram cylinders.
"Investigators' preliminary calculations indicate that this action has resulted in state financial losses of IDR 35,737,976,000. This is only a preliminary estimate," he said.
Dekananto emphasized that investigators are still investigating the case to uncover other possible perpetrators and to calculate the potential for greater state losses.
According to him, the 21 suspects come from several groups operating in various regencies and cities in East Java, not from a single network.
“These 21 suspects are not linked at all as each regency and city has its own group. However, it is worth noting that they work organized,” said Dekananto.
The Regional Police Chief hopes that this law enforcement will ensure the distribution of subsidized fuel and LPG is on target, especially for the public and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
"We will conduct supervision to prevent any misuse of subsidized fuel and LPG," he said.
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