Febrie Adriansyah Denies Extorting Tan Kian and Telling Boboho to ‘Cool Things Down’

Former deputy attorney-general for special crimes Febrie Adriansyah has denied extorting businessman Tan Kian. Febrie said he had never used the phrase ‘cool things down’ or said that Tan Kian would become a suspect.

Febrie made the denial in response to testimony from Ferry Yanto Hongkiriwang, also known as Ferry Boboho, at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (2 November 2026). Febrie said he felt he was being criminalised in the alleged extortion and money-laundering case.

‘There may have been a series of events from the time I was first examined: first concerning Blackout, Your Honours, then CBS, then Prime Solution. At the time, I felt there was no connection to me being questioned. It has now become clear that many witnesses have taken advantage of people examined at the round building [the Attorney General’s Office], including people from PT Perwira, Hilmon 20, 2.5, Jemy 15, then obtaining another 70 per cent of the shares in CBS, and Tan Kian as well. I will address Tan Kian specifically,’ Febrie said.

Febrie said he had never discussed cases with anyone, including Boboho. He said that every account could affect the handling of a case.

‘Since I was director of investigations and deputy attorney-general for special crimes, major cases have been uncovered: the tin case involving Rp300 trillion, Jiwasraya at Rp16.5 trillion, crude palm oil at Rp12.3 trillion, and others. The essential thing was how to lead subordinates while ensuring there was no misconduct,’ Febrie said.

Febrie said he had never spoken to Ferry Boboho about Tan Kian and had never offered Rp30 billion or Rp50 billion.

‘I never spoke to the witness about Tan Kian. And, Your Honours, I certainly never offered Rp30 billion or Rp50 billion. If there were any possibility of doing so, perhaps the objects would have been the hundreds of South Hills apartments that I seized, or the land belonging to Tan Kian that was also seized. And this was supposedly discussed at a funeral home, Your Honours,’ Febrie said.

‘That is very far from how I have conducted myself. I can assure you that I would never discuss a case one-on-one at a funeral home. I also do not know whether the person concerned attended the funeral,’ he added.

Febrie said he did not know Albertus Eko, who was described as the lawyer accompanying Jemy Sutjiawan in the corruption case involving the 4G telecommunications infrastructure project of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics’ Bakti agency. Febrie said he was puzzled by Ferry’s testimony.

‘Your Honours, when the witness said that I had something to do with Jemy Setiawan and that he was then handed over to Eko, I still cannot understand why the witness put those words together. But I have since realised that Jemy was sentenced to eight years in our case,’ Febrie said.

‘I will report the witness because, given the amount of money involved, I think it is cruel to someone who has already been sentenced to eight years and is being toyed with over debts or other negotiations that I know nothing about,’ he added.

Febrie also denied ever telling Ferry Boboho to ‘cool things down’, saying the expression was unfamiliar to him.

‘There is another point, Your Honours. One phrase in particular has deeply troubled me. It sounds foreign to me and has never been in my vocabulary since I became a prosecutor: “cool things down”. I am unfamiliar with those words,’ he said.

Febrie also denied telling Ferry Boboho that Tan Kian would become a suspect. He said he had never been accused of extortion during his 30 years of service at the Attorney General’s Office.

‘The witness said earlier that I had said, as I read in my statement, “Fer, just say he will become a suspect.” I never said that, Your Honours. I can also state publicly that in 30 years as a prosecutor, I have never been reported for extortion,’ Febrie said.

Febrie asked the judges to consider the case impartially. He said there had been no earlier complaint against him before he was accused of extorting Tan Kian.

‘That is why I feel there has been criminalisation, and I place my hope in Your Honours. I do not need to explain why this case has arisen, and I do not believe this comes from his conscience. But I also doubt he will say who instructed him to speak this way,’ Febrie said.

Febrie said his comments concerning the Harvey Moeis case had been, ‘Do not get involved in the case’. Ferry said he stood by his testimony despite Febrie’s denial.

‘I am very careful to maintain good friendships without getting involved in case handling. As stated in my examination record, the witness also acknowledged this in the Harvey Moeis matter. The words I often use are, “Do not get involved in the case.” I say this to my friends, who come from all walks of life, because I am firm that they should not enter that sphere,’ Febrie said.

Nurman Herin, another defendant in the alleged money-laundering case, also denied receiving a backpack containing Rp50 billion from Febrie. Ferry again said he stood by his testimony.

‘I never met the witness, Ferry Yanto Hongkiriwang, to receive a backpack containing Rp50 billion. Secondly, regarding the jacket: I bought it in May 2026,’ Nurman Herin said.

‘There are two points being denied: the delivery of the backpack which, according to you, contained money, and the claim that the jacket being worn was new and bought in May 2026. Do you still stand by your testimony?’ the judge asked.

‘Yes, Your Honour, I stand by my testimony,’ Ferry replied.

In this case, Febrie Adriansyah has been charged with extorting Rp55 billion from businessman Tan Kian. Prosecutors said Febrie carried out the alleged extortion through Ferry Yanto Hongkiriwang. Febrie and his co-defendants have also been charged with money laundering involving Rp346,743,821,282 (Rp346.7 billion) and US$440,990, equivalent to about Rp7.9 billion.

Febrie is alleged to have concealed the money by purchasing various assets. Prosecutors have also detailed the contents of three safes opened during the investigation.

One safe reportedly contained 74 kilograms of gold. Prosecutors also said Febrie and Don Ritto laundered money by buying a café where they regularly spent time.