Jakarta –
A car driver takes off his TNI service plate when he is filling in Pertalite subsidized fuel. The car was driven by the son of a retired TNI AD.
“The user of the official vehicle recorded on the video is the son of Major General Mindarto on behalf of Yonatan Wiliam Pascalis,” said a statement from the Indonesian Army Cavalry Armament Center (Pussenkav), Tuesday (24/1/2023).
Pussenkav explained that the TNI AD service plate with registration number 90186-32 was originally used for the official vehicle of Major General TNI (Purn) Mindarto. The service number plate was issued when Maj. Gen. TNI (Purn) Mindarto was still serving actively at Pussenkav as Pamen Expert.
The service plate was then attached to a dark green metallic Suzuki Jeep registered at Samsat with police number D-1585-XGR. The son of Maj. Gen. TNI (Purn) Mindarto admitted that he did not know about the regulation that cars are prohibited from filling subsidized fuel.
“When confirmed, the person concerned did not realize that when using the vehicle, it turned out that his parents’ military service plates were attached and did not understand the rules and mechanisms that TNI service plate vehicles are not allowed to fill subsidized fuel at gas stations,” he explained.
“Because of this, the person concerned took the initiative to replace the service plate with the black plate that was in the vehicle,” he added.
Currently, Jonathan is already in Australia to continue his education. Yonatan also apologized to the TNI institution for his mistake.
“Through a short video, Yonatan Wiliam Pascalis has also clarified and apologized to TNI institutions, especially the TNI AD, because of a misunderstanding of the actions he had committed while at the gas station, so the video went viral on social media,” he said.
TNI Withdraws Service Plates
The TNI AD has taken action by pulling the service plate on the car. This action was taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
“Currently, the service plate has been withdrawn directly by the Head of Sub-Directorate Pamlatter Sdirum Pussenkav Colonel Kav Harri Purnomo and then handed over to Pomdam III/Siliwangi,” explained Pussenkav.
Pussenkav explained that the TNI AD service plate with registration number 90186-32 was originally used for the official vehicle of Major General TNI (Purn) Mindarto. The service plate was then attached to a dark green metallic Suzuki Jeep registered at Samsat with police number D-1585-XGR. The plate was last extended on July 7, 2020.
“The validity period of the number has expired since July 2021 and will no longer be extended because the person concerned has entered retirement age,” explained Pussenkav.
Previously, a video showing a man taking off his TNI service plate when he was about to fill Pertalite fuel went viral on social media. The incident occurred at the Rest Area gas station on the Jakarta-Cikampek (Japek) toll road.
The video is in the spotlight of netizens because official vehicles are prohibited from using it Subsidized fuel. The incident is said to have occurred at a gas station in the Japek toll rest area near the Jatiwaringin toll exit on Monday (16/1).
See also ‘Ambulance Case Rejected for Pertalite Contents, Thinks Village Alert Car’:
(jbr/hri)
