Attorney General's Office Searches Office and Home of Ombudsman Commissioner
Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) conducted searches at the office and residence of an Ombudsman commissioner on Monday, 9 March. The searches were related to recommendations in an investigation obstruction case involving crude palm oil export corruption against three convicted corporations.
“It is correct that there was a search at his residence and at his office today,” said Anang Supriatna, Head of the Attorney General’s Legal Information Centre (Kapuspenkum), when confirmed.
Anang did not initially provide further details about which Ombudsman commissioner was involved.
Anang explained that the search was conducted in relation to Article 21 concerning obstruction of investigation and prosecution in the palm oil case. In this matter, the convicted parties included Marcella Santoso, Wilmar Group corporation, Permata Hijau Group corporation, and Musim Mas Group corporation.
Anang stated that the search was also related to a civil lawsuit filed by the three convicted corporations to the State Administrative Court (PTUN). The Ombudsman is allegedly suspected of providing recommendations for the civil lawsuit.
“He is charged under Article 21 on obstruction of investigation and prosecution in the palm oil case which was previously decided as acquittal,” said Anang.
Anang did not disclose further details about the search, including the identity of the Ombudsman commissioner involved. He only stated that the search was still ongoing at that time.
“Yes, the search is still ongoing,” he said.
Previously, prosecutors at the Central Jakarta District Prosecutor’s Office had disclosed collusion involving lawyers and judges, as well as a commitment of US$2.5 million, or approximately 4 billion Indonesian rupiah, in exchange for acquittals of the corporations—PT Permata Hijau Group, PT Wilmar Group, and PT Musim Mas Group—in a crude palm oil export corruption case during the period January to April 2022.
Prosecutors charged former Deputy Head of the Central Jakarta District Court (PN) Muhammad Arif Nuryanta with accepting bribes or gratification totalling 4 billion rupiah.
The alleged bribe money was received by Arif in collaboration with judges Djuyamto, Agam Syarief Baharudin, and Ali Muhtarom (charged in separate cases).
These three judges were from the Central Jakarta Corruption Court which examined and issued acquittals or full discharge from legal prosecution for the corporations Permata Hijau Group, Wilmar Group, and Musim Mas Group.
In the alleged collusion, Ariyanto conveyed information about a civil lawsuit, a state administrative court decision, and an Ombudsman recommendation that could potentially be considered in the corruption case decision affecting the palm oil corporations.
“Based on Ariyanto’s information, the defendant Muhammad Arif Nuryanta then requested confirmation of Ariyanto’s seriousness in seeking assistance. Ariyanto responded ‘Okay, one package of 20 billion rupiah,’ and the defendant Muhammad Arif Nuryanta responded ‘How can I divide this with the judges? If it’s 3 million dollars I agree,’ and Ariyanto responded ‘Okay I will try to arrange it, but please help secure the acquittal,’” stated the prosecutor.