Ethics Panel to Deliver Recommendation on Ethics Violation by Ombudsman Chair Hery Santoso Next Week
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ethics Panel of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia (ORI) will deliver recommendations following an investigation into allegations of ethics violations by former Ombudsman Chair Hery Susanto, who is currently a suspect in a nickel mining governance corruption case in Southeast Sulawesi from 2013 to 2025.
‘We were ready with the recommendation on Monday, but since Monday is a holiday, it will likely be Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. That’s up to the ORI’s decision,’ said Jimly Asshiddiqie, ORI Ethics Panel Chair, during a press conference at the Ombudsman office in Jakarta on Friday (29 June 2026).
Jimly stated that the Ethics Panel is giving Hery Susanto a final opportunity to submit a written response as part of his right to defend himself.
According to Jimly, the Ethics Panel does not need to wait for criminal proceedings to make an ethical decision, as the ethics mechanism has its own standards and procedures.
He added that the final investigation results will be submitted to the ORI Deputy Chair for discussion in a Plenary Leadership meeting in accordance with applicable regulations.
‘If we wait for a final court ruling, up to the Supreme Court and cassation, it could take three to four years. The Ombudsman institution’s reputation, authority, and public trust would continue to deteriorate over two, three, or four years,’ Jimly said.
He also stressed the importance of systemic evaluations within the ORI to ensure greater transparency, professionalism, and accountability in the institution’s governance.
Previously, the Ethics Panel conducted an open questioning session with the Selection Committee for ORI Members for the 2026-2031 term on Friday (22 May) to ensure transparency in the ethics investigation process.
The summoning is a procedural step taken before making a decision, as the Ethics Panel must hear and clarify matters with the selection committee, the Attorney General’s Office, ORI internal staff, and ORI members for the 2026-2031 term.
The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) has named Hery Susanto a suspect in a corruption case related to nickel mining business governance from 2013 to 2025.
Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Director of Investigation at the Special Crimes Prosecutor’s Office (Jampidsus), stated that Hery allegedly committed the crime while serving as an ORI member from 2021 to 2026.
‘The suspect designation was made after the investigation team gathered sufficient evidence through a series of investigative actions, including searches,’ Syarief said at the Jampidsus building in Jakarta on Thursday (16 April 2026).
Subsequently, PT TSHI colluded with Hery Susanto, then serving as an ORI commissioner, to find a way out.
To facilitate this, Hery received money from LKM, who is the director of PT TSHI.