Indonesia Uncovers QR Code Scheme Abusing Subsidized Diesel Fuel

Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulatory body, BPH Migas, has exposed a method of misusing subsidized diesel fuel through the MyPertamina QR Code application. The scheme involves individuals purchasing the daily fuel quota using legitimate QR codes, despite the registered vehicles remaining stationary and unused.

Wahyudi Anas, head of BPH Migas, explained that a single QR code for six-wheeled vehicles or larger is entitled to a quota of up to 200 liters of diesel per day, as per Presidential Regulation No. 191 of 2014. Exploiting this regulation, some parties continuously draw their daily quota even when their trucks are not traveling outside the city. "One QR code for a six-wheeled vehicle has a quota of 200 liters according to Presidential Regulation No. 191 of 2014. They take the entire quota every day, even though this truck doesn't move out of town," Wahyudi stated.

BPH Migas, in conjunction with Pertamina Patra Niaga, is actively monitoring suspicious transactions. QR codes found to be misused will be immediately blocked. Furthermore, BPH Migas is cooperating with law enforcement agencies to take action against vehicles that routinely collect fuel quotas without proper operation. "We will take firm action against findings in the field. Vehicles proven to be siphoning or hoarding fuel that frequently enter and exit gas stations will be handed over to law enforcement agencies to be processed according to rules and regulations," he added.

Economists express concerns that the digitalization of distribution, while improving transaction recording, has not yet ensured that subsidized fuel reaches its intended recipients. Yusuf Rendy Manillet from CORE Indonesia noted that the current system only records buyer identity and volume at the gas station. Post-dispensing, there is a lack of oversight to confirm the fuel is used for its designated purposes, such as for fishermen, public transport, or other eligible sectors. Andry Satrio Nugroho from INDEF pointed to the design of the subsidy itself, which is tied to the product rather than the beneficiary, as the root cause, creating opportunities for rent-seeking behavior.