"We managed to intercept and secure a truck loaded with 5.2 tons of subsidized oil fuel stored in jerrycans," Spokesperson of Sukabumi Police Adjunct Commissioner Alan Dahlan said here on Monday.
The police investigation indicated that the stashed oil belong to the local people who deliberately hoarded the subsidized fuel amid the government`s plan to increase the fuel price, Dahlan said.
The case is still under investigation to find the motives and no one becomes the suspect yet.
"We have summoned several residents and the village head for interrogation about the alleged oil stashing by the local people," Dahlan said.
"Based on their testimony, the subsidized fuel was bought from some gas stations using jerrycans. This operation was initiated by some local residents," Dahlan said.
The government is anticipating the possibility of certain quarters hoarding subsidized gasoline and diesel oils ahead of its announcement on subsidized fuel price hike, Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Susilo Siswoutomo said previously on Thursday (May 2).
The government has involved all relevant parties including police and military personnel, downstream oil and gas regulatory body (BPH Migas) officers, regional governments and state oil and gas company PT Pertamina to anticipate the possibility of certain quarters hoarding the subsidized fuels, he said.
"We anticipate the possibility of certain quarters trying to capitalize on the situation by hoarding fuel oils," he said.
He predicted that 5 percent of the fuel oil quota set in the 2013 state budget will be smuggled.
With the quota of subsidized fuel oils reaching 46 million kiloliters in the 2013 state budget, at least 2.3 million kiloliters will be abused, he said.
(A059/A014)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
