Prabowo Orders Crackdown on Fuel Hoarding with Modified Tanks

President Prabowo Subianto has ordered an immediate crackdown on the issue of modified fuel tanks being used for the illicit purchase of subsidized fuel. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, revealed that coordination with the state-owned oil company Pertamina is underway to address this problem. Minister Bahlil reported that one of the causes for the long queues at subsidized fuel stations in several areas, particularly in South Sulawesi's Makassar, is the modification of fuel tanks by some vehicles. These modified tanks have capacities ranging from 700 liters to even 1,000 liters, allowing for the hoarding of subsidized fuel. This practice raises serious concerns as it prevents the limited subsidized fuel from reaching ordinary citizens who are meant to benefit from it. The President has taken this situation seriously and instructed that the government, as the regulator, must coordinate with Pertamina, which is responsible for implementation on the ground, to resolve the issue promptly. The Minister stated that while the national supply of subsidized fuel is currently sufficient for approximately 18-20 days of operation, there has been a shift in consumption in some areas from non-subsidized (RON 92, 95) to subsidized fuel, and that such illicit practices are contributing to supply shortages. Minister Bahlil confirmed that police investigations have identified vehicles (such as Pajeros, Fortuners, and trucks) equipped with these modified, oversized fuel tanks. He emphasized that these actions are for "specific purposes" and that it is unacceptable for any party to acquire subsidized fuel in such excessive quantities, which is intended for the general public. He added that the issues in Makassar are already being addressed in coordination with local authorities and law enforcement, and that necessary measures will continue to be taken to ensure that subsidized fuel reaches its intended beneficiaries.