In a significant development, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in Jakarta has announced the identification of two new suspects in the ongoing corruption investigation involving crude oil governance and refinery products at PT Pertamina (Persero). The suspects, Maya Kusmaya, serving as the Director of Marketing and Pertamina Commerce Patra Niaga, and Edward Corne, the VP of Trading Operations at Pertamina Patra Niaga, were formally added to the case.

In a press conference held in Jakarta on the evening of February 26, Abdul Qohar, head of the Special Crusader Task Force for Corruption Cases (AGO), stated that the investigators have gathered substantial evidence to support the involvement of the two new suspects. “Investigators have found sufficient evidence that the two suspects are suspected of committing a criminal offense with seven suspects that we have conveyed,” he said.

“Investigators have found sufficient evidence that the two suspects are suspected of committing a criminal offense with seven suspects that we have conveyed.”

Abdul Qohar, Dirdik Jampidsus AGO

Abdul Qohar explained that both individuals had been initially interviewed as witnesses starting at 3:00 PM local time. The interrogation yielded enough evidence to implicate them in the corruption scheme, and the AGO proceeded with their arrest for further investigation. Maya Kusmaya and Edward Corne are currently held in the Salemba Detention Center, with a detention period set for the next 20 days.

Timeline of Allegations and Arrests

The AGO has now named a total of seven suspects in this case, including four employees of Pertamina and three private individuals. One of the notable figures is Ribu Siahaan, the President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga. Other suspects include:

• SD as Director of Feed Stock and Product Optimization of PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional
• YF, President Director of PT Pertamina International Shipping
• AP, VP of Feed Stock Management of PT Kilang Pertamina International
• DW, Commissioner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa and also Commissioner of PT Jenggala Maritime
• YRJ, Commissioner of PT Jenggala Maritime and Managing Director of PT Orbit Terminal Mera

Extensive Financial Losses and Imminent Challenges

The AGO estimates the total loss to the state due to this corruption case at a staggering 193.7 trillion Indonesian rupiah. This includes:

• A loss of approximately 35 trillion rupiah from domestic crude oil exports.
• Over 2.7 trillion rupiah from crude oil imports via DMUT/broker.
• Almost 9 trillion rupiah from fuel imports via DMUT/Broker.
• A substantial 126 trillion rupiah from compensation losses and around 21 trillion rupiah from subsidy losses (2023).

While this scandal is specific to Indonesia, it raises pertinent issues about corruption and governance in the energy sector globally. The oil industry in the U.S. has also faced corruption allegations, with high-profile cases such as the Enron scandal justifying greater scrutiny. Moreover, enforcement agencies in the U.S. employ similar investigative tactics as evidenced by the AGO’s meticulous approach to evidence collection and interrogation in Pertamina’s case.

Implications for U.S. Energy Policies and Regulations

The revelations at Pertamina highlight the critical need for robust regulatory oversight and anti-corruption measures in the energy sector. This case serves as a reminder of the potential for financial loss and operational disruption when corruption goes unchecked. For the U.S., the scrutiny exacerbated by cases like Pertamina can influence more stringent regulations on domestic energy firms and international trade relations, echoing similar auctions in the U.S. Senate-House and ExxonMobil’s pay-to-play practices.

The case underscores the broader implications for buyers and suppliers in an increasingly global market. Energetic policies to discourage corruption, as indicated by Indonesia, have an impact on prices and accessibility for end users. For U.S. stakeholders, this case in Indonesia serves as a learning experience to strengthen corporate transparency, ethical practices and to create a more resilient energy infrastructure.