Indonesia Widens Pertamina Graft Probe, Names Riza Chalid Among 9 Suspects

Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office has expanded its investigation into alleged corruption at state-owned energy giant PT Pertamina, formally naming nine people as suspects in one of the country’s largest graft cases. Prosecutors say irregularities in the management of crude oil and refinery products between 2018 and 2023 cost the state about Rp285 trillion, or roughly $17 billion. Among the new suspects is prominent oil trader Mohammad Riza Chalid, who failed to answer three summonses and is believed to be in Singapore. The Attorney General’s Office said it is coordinating with the Indonesian prosecutor’s liaison office in Singapore to track him down. Pertamina said it is cooperating with investigators and will follow legal developments closely. The widening probe adds to the administration’s broader anti-corruption drive as authorities try to recover losses from manipulated import contracts and terminal lease arrangements linked to the state energy firm.