The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named nine new suspects in the widening corruption investigation into the mismanagement of crude oil and refined product trading at State energy giant PT Pertamina and affiliated contractors between 2018 and 2023.
Among the high-profile suspects is Mohammad Riza Chalid (MRC), a controversial oil trader and influential businessman, who was named in the case as the beneficial owner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa and PT Orbit Terminal Merak (OTM).
“This decision follows the discovery of sufficient evidence. Investigators have concluded there is legal basis to name nine individuals as suspects,” Director of Investigation at the Office of Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus), Abdul Qohar, told a press conference on Thursday evening, July 10, 2025.
Altogether, there have been 18 suspects named in the Pertamina oil trade scandal.
The nine new suspects are accused of playing roles in a sprawling scheme that manipulated the supply and trading of crude oil and petroleum products, allegedly resulting in substantial financial losses for the state and undermining transparency in one of Indonesia's most strategic sectors.
The inclusion of Riza Chalid in the suspect list is particularly notable. Known in past years as a shadowy figure in Indonesia’s energy trading circles, he has previously been linked to various controversies, but had largely evaded legal consequences − until now.
The case involves Pertamina’s Sub-Holdings and several Oil and Gas Contractors (KKKS), with investigators probing how trading mechanisms were manipulated, including through opaque third-party intermediaries and suspected kickback schemes.
Abdul Qohar said that further investigations are ongoing, and additional suspects could still emerge.
This latest development adds to mounting pressure on Pertamina and the government to reform governance in the oil and gas sector, a cornerstone of Indonesia’s economy that has long been plagued by transparency issues.
The AGO has yet to disclose detailed charges or the estimated value of the losses incurred, though sources close to the investigation suggest that the financial impact could reach into the trillions of rupiah.
List of suspects named by the AGO:
1.AE – Former VP of Supply and Distribution, Pertamina (2011–2015)
2.AB – Former Director of Marketing and Commerce, Pertamina (2014)
3.TN – Former VP of Intermediate Supply, Pertamina (2017–2018)
4.DS – Former VP of Product Trading, Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) Pertamina (2019–2020)
5. AS – Director of Gas, Petrochemicals & New Business, Pertamina International
Shipping (PIS)
6.HW – Former SVP of Integrated Supply Chains Pertamina (2018–2020)
7.MH – Business Development Manager, PT Trafigura (2019–2021)
8.IP – Business Development Manager, PT Mahameru Kencana Abadi
9.MRC – Beneficial owner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa and PT Orbit Terminal Merak
Already have an account? Sign In
-
Start reading
Freemium
-
Monthly Subscription
20% OFF$29.75
$37.19/MonthCancel anytime
This offer is open to all new subscribers!
Subscribe now -
Yearly Subscription
33% OFF$228.13
$340.5/YearCancel anytime
This offer is open to all new subscribers!
Subscribe now
Set up email notifications for these topics
