Case Files Complete: Former Ombudsman Chair Hery Susanto Set for Trial in Nickel Case
The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) has officially handed over the former Chair of the Ombudsman, Hery Susanto (HS), along with physical evidence related to the alleged corruption case involving nickel mining governance in Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) spanning 2013-2025. The case is now entering a new phase.
“The Jampidsus team has completed the handover of suspect HS and physical evidence (Phase II) to the Public Prosecutor team at the South Jakarta District Attorney’s Office,” stated the Acting Head of the Attorney General’s Office Information Centre, Mochamad Jeffry, in a statement on Monday (8/6/2026).
Jeffry explained that this second phase was carried out after investigators gathered strong evidence, including the examination of dozens of witnesses and experts. “The investigative team collected evidence through the examination of 38 witnesses, 2 experts, and the review of documents and electronic evidence, alongside searches conducted in the DKI Jakarta Province,” he clarified.
The case originated when PT Toshida Indonesia (TSHI) faced issues regarding the calculation of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) for forest area use permits (IPPKH) by the Ministry of Forestry, amounting to Rp 130 billion. The President Director of PT TSHI, Laode Sinarwan Oda (LSO), subsequently contacted LKM, a trusted associate of Hery, to seek a resolution.
A meeting took place at the Ombudsman office. Hery allegedly agreed to conduct an investigation into the Ministry of Forestry, but arranged the process to appear as though it had originated from a public complaint. “Furthermore, Mr HS stated he was willing to assist in the investigation of the Ministry of Forestry under the guise of a public complaint, with an agreement that Mr HS would receive Rp 1.5 billion from Mr LSO (Laode),” Jeffry revealed.
During the process, Hery allegedly manipulated the Ombudsman’s Final Audit Report (LHP) to conclude that the Ministry of Forestry’s Rp 130 billion claim against PT TSHI was erroneous. He instructed the company to conduct its own calculation of the amount owed to the state.
In addition to receiving cash, Hery is also alleged to have received other facilities, including a house. “That Mr HS has unlawfully received sums of money from companies. Additionally, HS also received one residential house unit,” Jeffry stated.
In addition to Hery, investigators have also named Laode Sinarwan as a suspect in the case. Investigators have also questioned Laode’s subordinate, identified by the initials LKM, though their status remains that of a witness.