Crude Oil Governance Dispute: Prosecutors Search Ombudsman Commissioner's Office Over Alleged Corruption Case

News suddenly emerged that prosecutors have raided the office and residence of Ombudsman Commissioner of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Yeka Hendra Fatika, in connection with an alleged corruption scandal involving crude oil governance. What is the connection?

The matter originated from an acquittal verdict against three corporations pursued by the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) on 19 March 2025: Wilmar Group, Musim Mas Group, and Permata Hijau Group. Upon investigation, the verdict appeared to have been arranged, with suspects pursued by prosecutors alongside judges and lawyers.

The basis for the acquittal verdict included, among other factors, a decision by the State Administrative Court (PTUN) that favoured these corporations. One key instrument utilised was an Ombudsman RI recommendation concluding that there was “maladministration” in crude palm oil (CPO) export policy.

Prosecutors believe there was “manipulation” behind the Ombudsman’s recommendation. This prompted prosecutors to raid the office and residence of an Ombudsman RI Commissioner, who is suspected of involvement in this orchestrated scheme.

“Yes, one of them concerns the Ombudsman recommendation for the PTUN lawsuit,” said Anang Supriatna, Head of the Attorney General’s Office Legal Information Centre (Kapuspenkum), on Monday (9 March 2026), when asked whether the raid was related to the Ombudsman recommendation when the corporations filed a lawsuit with the PTUN.

According to Anang, the Ombudsman Commissioner’s actions are suspected of obstructing the investigation conducted by prosecutors. The consequence of these actions resulted in the corporations temporarily escaping legal liability.

“He faces Article 21 (of the Anti-Corruption Law) for obstruction of investigation and prosecution in the cooking oil case from back then, which resulted in acquittal,” Anang explained.