Attorney General's Office Reveals Nickel Export Case in Southeast Sulawesi, Seizes Rp 401 Billion
The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) has uncovered a suspected corruption case related to nickel exports in Southeast Sulawesi. The case is alleged to have caused state losses of Rp 401 billion.
Director of Investigation at the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, Saiful Bahri Siregar, said the case allegedly occurred between 2017 and 2019. The mining company suspected of involvement is PT CNI, which holds an Operation Production Mining Business Permit (IUP). The company allegedly did not yet have an approved Work Plan and Budget (RKAB), but had already obtained an export recommendation.
“There are state financial losses according to the State Loss Calculation Report from the BPK amounting to Rp 401,653,737,469.69,” Saiful said at a press conference at the Kejagung Round Building, South Jakarta, Monday (31/8/2026).
He explained that PT CNI allegedly arranged or manipulated nickel content documents. This was allegedly done so that goods from PT CNI could be exported.
“PT CNI, together with state officials, made arrangements in such a way that nickel content with test results of less than 1.7% was obtained to meet export requirements that should have been above 1.7%,” he said.
PT CNI allegedly used invalid documents. This allegedly caused state financial losses.
“PT CNI, using invalid documents, carried out illegal nickel exports, resulting in state financial losses,” he explained.
Saiful said investigators have examined hundreds of witnesses in this case. In addition, investigators have seized Rp 401 billion in funds.
“(Prosecutors have) examined 116 witnesses, examined three experts, seized 143 documents and obtained approval from the District Court,” he said.
Saiful said prosecutors have conducted searches at several locations, including Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, and Jakarta. Prosecutors have also obtained a State Loss Calculation Report (LHP) from BPKP RI, and carried out other investigative actions.