Attorney General Pressed to Pursue Riza Chalid Following Kerry's 15-Year Prison Sentence
The coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Community (MAKI), Boyamin Saiman, has welcomed the 15-year prison sentence handed down to Muhamad Kerry Adrianto Riza, a subordinate of fugitive Riza Chalid. However, Boyamin has also urged that Riza Chalid be returned to Indonesia immediately, as he is suspected to be the intellectual architect of the crude oil management corruption case.
“I respect the court’s decision regarding Kerry and his colleagues in relation to Pertamina’s oil management. Kerry was sentenced to 15 years and others received sentences of 8 or 9 years. In principle, we respect this and the case is still ongoing; they can still appeal,” Boyamin told journalists on Friday (27 February 2026).
He assessed the verdict as sufficiently severe, as it approaches the prosecutor’s request and satisfies the sense of justice. Nevertheless, he continues to urge the Attorney General to immediately bring Riza Chalid back, as he has been designated as a fugitive.
“I am calling on the Attorney General to seriously work towards bringing Riza Chalid back immediately,” he said.
Boyamin stated that if Riza Chalid is not returned by Eid, he is requesting that Riza Chalid be tried in absentia in May or April. Boyamin is concerned that if Riza Chalid is not tried promptly, the proceedings could be repeatedly delayed until the statute of limitations expires.
“In any case, an in absentia trial should be held by April or May. I have already requested this on several previous occasions for Riza Chalid to be tried in absentia because the state losses are substantial. If we do not proceed with an in absentia trial and keep delaying until the 18-year limitation period expires, it will be unjust,” he said.
“Since Riza Chalid is considered the intellectual architect—allegedly, mind you—the intellectual architect, he must be tried. Since he cannot be brought back, then in absentia proceedings should go ahead,” he added.
He further stated that if by May an in absentia trial has not been held, Boyamin will file a judicial petition to compel the Attorney General to prosecute Riza Chalid in absentia or to return him to Indonesia.
Fifteen-Year Prison Sentence
Previously, Kerry was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The judge found Kerry guilty in the crude oil management corruption case.
“The defendant Muhamad Kerry Adrianto is hereby declared by this court to have been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt of committing corruption jointly as stated in the primary indictment,” stated Chief Judge Fajar Kusuma Aji when reading the verdict at Jakarta Pusat Corruption Court on Friday (27 February).
“The defendant Muhamad Kerry Adrianto is therefore sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment,” the judge added.
The judge ordered Kerry to pay a fine of IDR 1 billion, payable within one month and extendable for a maximum of one additional month from the date the verdict becomes final.
The judge set that if the fine is not paid within the specified period, the convicted person’s assets or income may be seized and auctioned to settle the fine.
“Should the proceeds from seizure or auction of assets or income be insufficient or not possible to enforce, the unpaid fine shall be replaced with 190 days’ imprisonment,” the judge stated.
Additionally, Kerry was imposed a subsidiary penalty of restitution in the amount of IDR 2,905,420,003,854, with a subsidiary term of 5 years’ imprisonment.
The aggravating factors in Kerry’s sentence included that his conduct did not support the government’s intensive anti-corruption programme. The mitigating factors included that he has no prior convictions and has family dependents.