4 Facts on Samin Tan Becoming a Suspect in Central Kalimantan's Mining Corruption Case
Samin Tan has been designated as a suspect in the corruption case involving irregularities in the management of coal mining by PT Asmin Koalindo Tuhup (AKT) in Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan. The designation of the suspect was carried out by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).
The AGO stated that the designation of Samin Tan as a suspect was made after investigators obtained sufficient evidence. This evidence was gathered through a series of witness examinations and searches at multiple locations.
Here are several facts:
- Beneficial Owner of PT AKT
In the construction of this mining corruption case, Samin Tan is identified as the beneficial owner of PT AKT, a coal mining company that previously operated under a coal mining business work agreement (PKP2B). However, the company’s permit was revoked in 2017.
Despite the revocation, PT AKT is alleged to have continued illegal mining and coal sales activities until 2025.
“After the revocation, PT AKT continued to carry out mining and sales of mining products unlawfully and against the law until 2025,” said the Director of Investigation of the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) of the AGO, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, during a press conference on Saturday (28/3/2026).
Furthermore, these activities are suspected to have been conducted by violating invalid permits and collaborating with state officials responsible for supervision in the mining sector.
“Thus causing losses to state finances and or the state economy,” Syarief continued.
The AGO indicated the involvement of state officials in this case. However, to date, no individuals from that element have been designated as suspects.
“I have stated that in this case, there is collaboration with state officials tasked with supervising mining. As for who the state officials are, we will announce it later,” Syarief said.
He explained that the element of collaboration with state officials forms the basis for classifying this case as a corruption offence. In this case, Samin Tan is charged with violating Articles 603 and 604 of the Criminal Code. Samin Tan is now detained for the next 20 days at the Salemba Detention House Branch of the Attorney General’s Office.
- AGO Searches Several Locations
AGO investigators have also searched several locations related to the case. The searches were conducted in West Java, South Kalimantan, DKI Jakarta, and Central Kalimantan.
To date, the search process is still ongoing, particularly in Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.
“Searches were carried out in several regions, namely West Java, South Kalimantan, DKI Jakarta, and Central Kalimantan,” said Syarief.
“And it should be noted that searches are still ongoing to this day, especially in the Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan areas,” he added.
In addition, investigators searched several affiliated companies, including PT Borneo Lumbung Energi & Metal (BLEM), which is said to have connections to Samin Tan.
“The searches are correct, they are still ongoing. Still ongoing in several places in South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, Jakarta, and West Java. For the company mentioned earlier (PT BLEM), it is an affiliated company, correct,” Syarief said in response to journalists’ questions.
- AGO to Seize Samin Tan’s Assets
The AGO will seize Samin Tan’s assets. The seizure aims to recover state losses.
“As investigators, we will secure assets to return and restore the state losses that occurred,” said Syarief.
In the future, the AGO will track Samin Tan’s assets. In addition, the AGO will also track assets of PT AKT and its affiliates.
“Since the suspect has just been designated now, starting from now, going forward, we will begin tracking assets belonging to the suspect, the company, and its affiliates,” Syarief stated.
- Escaped KPK Bribery Case
Samin Tan is known to have been listed among Indonesia’s richest individuals. Previously, he escaped a bribery case at the KPK.
According to detikcom’s reporting records, Samin Tan appeared on the list of Indonesia’s 40 richest people released by Forbes magazine in 2011. At that time, the top three richest people in 2011 were still held by the Hartono brothers (owners of Djarum), Susilo Wonowidjojo (Gudang Garam), and Eka Tjipta Widjaja (Sinarmas Group).
From that list, Samin Tan was in 28th position. He was said to have wealth of USD 940 million or approximately Rp 13 trillion.
In 2019, Samin Tan was examined multiple times by the KPK in connection with a bribery case and eventually went into hiding. Samin Tan was placed on the wanted list (DPO) on 6 May 2020. He became a fugitive after failing to appear for KPK examinations.
After nearly a year on the run, Samin Tan was finally arrested by the KPK. Samin Tan was charged as a suspect in the alleged bribery case related to former Deputy Chair of Commission VII of the DPR, Eni Maulani Saragih. The KPK stated that Samin Tan, as the owner of PT Borneo Lumbung Energi & Metal, gave a bribe of Rp 5 billion to Eni Saragih.
Samin Tan was prosecuted by KPK prosecutors to be sentenced to 3 years in prison and a fine of Rp 250 million subsidiary 6 months imprisonment. The judge disagreed. In 2021, the judge acquitted Samin Tan. He was not proven to have given a Rp 5 billion bribe to Eni and was considered a victim of extortion. Samin Tan’s acquittal was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2022.