Surabaya Food Service Manager Arrested for Cooking Oil Embezzlement

A head of the kitchen at a food service and nutrition fulfillment unit (SPPG) in Surabaya, East Java, has been arrested and named a suspect for allegedly embezzling eight jerrycans of cooking oil from his workplace for resale. Sawahan Police Chief Kompol Muljono stated that the suspect, identified as Hendi Wirawan bin Soekirno (32), has held the position of kitchen head at SPPG Jalan Raya Dukuh Kupang since May 2026. The case began when a witness reported suspected embezzlement by Hendi. Muljono explained that Hendi allegedly stole leftover cooking oil during his night shift, from 11:00 PM to 9:00 AM. He would transfer the oil into large black plastic bags and hide them outside the SPPG, near the trash bins. The following morning, he would retrieve the bags and sell the oil to others. This act was reportedly carried out three times on September 11, 16, and 18. During these three instances, the kitchen head allegedly embezzled a total of 18 liters of cooking oil, earning a profit of Rp1.2 million. This money was reportedly spent entirely on living expenses. The Reskrim Unit of the Sawahan Police has examined several witnesses and seized evidence, including CCTV footage from the scene. For his actions, Hendi is now facing legal repercussions. Police have charged the suspect under Article 488 in conjunction with Article 126 of Indonesian Law Number 1 of 2023, or the Criminal Code, concerning the crime of embezzlement in office, committed repeatedly as a continuous offense. Information Source: CNN Indonesia