The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) says that it will investigate reports that fugitive oil trader and graft suspect Mohammad Riza Chalid has married a member of a Malaysian royal family in an alleged attempt to shield himself from prosecution.
AGO spokesman Anang Supriatna said that while investigators have yet to confirm the report, it will be treated as an important lead. “So far, we don’t have any concrete information. But every credible tip will be followed up and evaluated by the investigative team,” Anang told reporters on Monday, July 28, 2025.
The statement came in response to a claim made by Boyamin Saiman, coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI), who said Riza had likely taken residence in Malaysia’s Johor State and married a member of the local royal household.
“There are indications that he married into a royal family from either a Malaysian state beginning with ‘J’ or ‘K’,” Boyamin said in a public letter, without disclosing further details.
The AGO recently named Riza a suspect in a massive oil corruption case involving state owned energy company PT Pertamina Group and its dealings with Oil contractors (KKKS), between 2018 and 2023.
He is believed to have acted as the ultimate beneficiary of two companies, PT Navigator Khatulistiwa and PT Orbit Terminal Merak, which were central to the graft allegations.
Riza was scheduled for questioning last week but failed to appear and provided no explanation. “This will be our second summons. The first was ignored without confirmation,” Anang said, adding that investigators are now coordinating further efforts to compel his attendance.
Boyamin further alleged that Riza maintained longstanding ties with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which predated Anwar’s time in office. “There’s even a photo of Riza with Anwar Ibrahim and the Sultan of Kedah,” Boyamin claimed, suggesting high-level connections that may complicate any extradition efforts.
Riza’s case has drawn heightened public interest following the government’s push to crack down on corruption in the energy sector, with President Prabowo Subianto publicly backing legal action against major economic offenders.
Legal experts say the marriage, if proven, could impact extradition proceedings should Riza be granted honorary or citizenship status through royal ties.
The AGO has not disclosed whether Interpol red notices or diplomatic measures are being considered. But with trillions of rupiah in state losses at stake, Riza’s return to Indonesia remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies.
“We’re exploring all channels, including the possibility of international legal cooperation. Wherever he is, we will continue to pursue him,” Anang concluded.
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