National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, said that the police are moving based on evidence collected in response to questions about the alleged involvement of oil magnate Riza Chalid behind riots that broke out in several Indonesian cities last weekend.
“Of course, the police will act in accordance with the evidence on the ground. We will draw conclusions from the facts obtained. We will pursue the perpetrators on the ground, the masterminds, and whoever financed them. We will find out everything,” Listyo said while answering reporters’ questions about Riza Chalid’s alleged role, during a visit to the National Police Hospital in Kramat Jati, Jakarta, on Monday, September 1, 2025.
The police chief revealed that several suspected rioters have been arrested, although the official tally is still being compiled.
“Quite a lot have already been detained, but we have not consolidated the numbers. Some arrests have been made, but since the number is still growing, we will release official data later,” Listyo added.
Journalists raised the issue of Riza Chalid after several ministers mentioned his name. Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, for instance, wrote on Instagram on August 31, 2025: “No predecessor ever dared to challenge the oil mafia. No one ever dared to expose Riza Chalid, his children, and his cronies. Together with those people, they stole the nation’s wealth.”
Similarly, Minister for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, Abdul Kadir Karding, and National Mandate Party (PAN) Central Board Chair Zita Anjani − currently serving as the President’s Special Envoy for Tourism − also highlighted his name.
Mohammad Riza Chalid, the beneficial owner of PT Orbit Terminal Merak, has been named as one of eight new suspects in an alleged corruption case concerning crude oil and refinery product management within PT Pertamina’s Subholding and several Cooperation Contract Contractors (KKKS) from 2018 to 2023.
He has also been charged with alleged money laundering (TPPU) connected to the corruption case. On August 4, 2025 investigators from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) seized cash and five luxury cars during searches at three locations. AGO spokesperson Anang Supriatna said the assets were confiscated from parties affiliated with Riza Chalid, allegedly identified as IP, who was summoned as a witness but failed to appear.
“From the searches, investigators obtained evidence believed to be linked to assets owned by suspect MRC,” Anang said on August 4, 2025. He added that investigators are continuing to trace other assets belonging to Riza Chalid.
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