Attorney General's Office Examines Maybank Officials in Palm Oil Export Case
The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) is examining employees of Malaysian bank Maybank in connection with a palm oil export case. Maybank Indonesia has confirmed the development.
The news was initially reported by international media outlet Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, and subsequently picked up by Malaysian media such as The Star and Free Malaysia Today. The Bloomberg report stated that Indonesian authorities are investigating Maybank bankers as part of a probe into alleged manipulation of export values involving the Salim Group.
The examination is reportedly linked to transactions by PT Salim Ivomas Pratama, one of Indonesia’s largest palm oil producers. Maybank Indonesia bankers were said to have brought documents to the Attorney General’s Office last week.
Authorities are investigating whether exports were conducted below market price in an effort to hide profits and reduce taxes. Indonesia is reportedly investigating ten major palm oil producers.
Maybank Indonesia’s exposure to Salim Ivomas Pratama is relatively small, at around Rp 150 billion, according to the company’s latest financial report. However, the lender has been a primary banking partner for the wider Salim Group for years. It is unclear whether other banks associated with the group have been questioned.
Investigators are said to be seeking information about banking facilities provided to the company and the nature of the financing arrangements. The lender reportedly provided a revolving credit facility intended for working capital needs, not specifically to fund exports. Authorities are examining whether any facilities are linked to the transactions now under investigation.
Kapuspenkum Kejagung Anang Supriatna confirmed that an investigation is underway regarding the palm oil export case but declined to provide details. “There is an investigation, but not specific. What is clear is that there is an in-depth examination related to this. But we do not know exactly which banks, there are several companies. Yes, it is being investigated,” Anang said at the Kejagung office on Friday (12/6/2026).
Anang asked all parties to await the process being conducted by the Kejagung. He stated that the process is currently still at the investigation stage. “We will see later, it is still in the investigation process,” he said.
Maybank has responded to the reports regarding the examination of its employees. The bank stated that its personnel complied with the summons as a form of regulatory compliance.
The following is Maybank’s full statement as seen on its official website:
Maybank is aware of reports regarding an investigation by Indonesian authorities into an ongoing matter involving several corporate clients. Maybank Indonesia personnel have been requested to provide information as witnesses to assist the authorities and the Bank is not the subject of any investigation.
Maybank Indonesia is cooperating with the relevant authorities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. As a regulated financial institution, Maybank remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, compliance, and integrity across its operations. The Group also remains committed to fulfilling its legal and regulatory obligations in the jurisdictions in which it operates. The Bank is unable to comment further as the matter is ongoing, and given client confidentiality obligations and regulatory requirements.