CEO of State energy company PT Pertamina, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, has issued an apology to the Indonesian public following allegations of corruption in the company’s crude oil and fuel procurement in the period of 2018 to 2023, which is currently being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).

“This incident is a significant challenge for Pertamina and we deeply regret for what has happened. We fully support the legal actions taken by the Attorney General’s Office and will provide any necessary data or statements to ensure the investigation proceeds according to the law,” Mantiri told a press conference on Monday, March 3, 2025.

He said Pertamina remains committed to upholding Good Corporate Governance (GCG) principles and improving its operational integrity. 

He acknowledged that the scandal has caused public distrust, but assured that Pertamina is working diligently to maintain fuel quality and compliance with regulatory standards set by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

Pertamina’s Deputy CEO, Wiko Migantara, emphasized that the company is reviewing its import governance framework. 

“We are increasing transparency and evaluating every process to ensure better compliance. Any gaps identified in previous legal findings will be addressed to prevent financial harm to the company and the state,” Migantara said.

The corruption case has prompted Pertamina to establish a Crisis Center Team to reassess its business operations, particularly in crude oil imports and refinery product procurement. The state-owned enterprise also plans to enhance collaboration with government bodies to strengthen oversight.

Mantiri reaffirmed that Pertamina remains dedicated to serving Indonesia’s energy needs, especially during the upcoming Idul Fitri holiday. 

“Despite these challenges, Pertamina will continue ensuring energy availability for the Indonesian people,” he said.

The investigation is ongoing, and further legal actions are expected as authorities continue to uncover details related to the procurement irregularities.

As previously reported, the AGO has named nine individuals − six are top officials within PT Pertamina Group and the other three are business partners − as suspects in a corruption case related to mismanagement of crude oil and refinery products at the State energy company, its subholdings and contractors during the 2018-2023 period.

AGO Spokesman, Harli Siregar, said earlier that the Office’s investigation found strong evidence of systematic corruption involving high-ranking officials within Pertamina, as well as the private sector, which had resulted in State losses of approximately Rp 193.7 trillion (US$12.5 billion). 

"This case involves a deliberate scheme to manipulate domestic oil supply and import processes for illegal financial gains," Harli Siregar said on February 25, 2025.

The seven suspects are Riva Siahaan, President Director of Pertamina’s commercial and trading subholding company PT Pertamina Patra Niaga; Sani Dinar Saifuddin, Director of Feedstock and Product Optimization at Pertamina’s refinery and petrochemical arm PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional; Yoko Firnandi, President Director of Pertamina’s shipping subholding PT Pertamina International Shipping; Agus Purwono, Vice President of Feedstock Management at PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional; Muhammad Kerry Andrianto Riza, Beneficial Owner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa; Dimas Werhaspati, Commissioner at PT Navigator Khatulistiwa and PT Jenggala Maritim; and Gading Ramadhan Joedo, Commissioner at PT Jenggala Maritim and President Director of PT Orbit Terminal Merak.

Two more suspects were named by the AGO on February 26, 2025. They are Maya Kusmaya, Director of Central Marketing and Commerce at Pertamina Patra Niaga, and Edward Corne, Vice President for Trading at Pertamina Patra Niaga. 

According to prosecutors, the key Pertamina officials manipulated refinery production levels to justify crude oil imports at inflated prices, bypassing domestic supply obligations. This fraudulent practice was allegedly conducted in collaboration with brokers, who secured pre-arranged procurement contracts at premium rates.

The investigation has secured 969 documents and 45 pieces of electronic evidence, and questioned 96 witnesses and two experts in relation with the case.

The suspects are being charged under Law No. 31/1999 on Corruption Eradication, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.