Ethics Board Says Ombudsman's 2021-2026 Term Most Problematic

JAKARTA — Chairman of the Ombudsman RI Ethics Board Jimly Asshiddiqie stated that the 2021-2026 term led by Muhammad Najih is the most problematic in the Ombudsman’s history.

‘It is assessed that the most problematic period was the recent one,’ Jimly said during a press conference at the Ombudsman’s office in Jakarta on Friday, 29 June 2026.

‘After our review, there was no cohesion. There was a chairman, a vice-chairman, but one member was dominant. Their work was highly dominant and decisive, sometimes acting personally under the Ombudsman’s name,’ he said.

Jimly said the actions of the Ombudsman member in question were ethical violations. He also noted that the individual frequently shouted during hearings, causing discomfort.

‘I won’t mention the name, but it’s like that. Shouting in meetings is not allowed; it’s an ethical issue,’ he added.

‘The Ombudsman is vital for public service quality. It oversees public service quality and integrity, so standards must be high,’ he said.

Previously, the Attorney General’s Office designated Hery Susanto as a suspect in a suspected nickel mining governance corruption case in Southeast Sulawesi from 2013-2025.

Director of Special Criminal Prosecution at the Attorney General’s Office, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, stated that Hery issued a letter correcting the Non-Tax State Revenue amount from the Ministry of Forestry.

Hery also reviewed the Ministry of Forestry and arranged for the penalty claims against PT Toshida Indonesia (TSHI) to be deemed incorrect, leading to an Ombudsman correction letter instructing TSHI to recalculate its dues to the state.

For these actions benefiting TSHI, Syarief said Hery received a bribe of Rp1.5 billion in 2025.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Office designated Yeka Hendra Fatika as a suspect in a suspected obstruction of investigation case related to the cooking oil or CPO corruption.

Hery and Yeka are currently detained by prosecutors.