Former Ombudsman Chairman Apologises Ahead of Graft Trial
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Chair of the Indonesian Ombudsman (ORI) for the 2026 period, Hery Susanto, apologised for his misconduct when met before the reading of the indictment at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday.
“I also ask for your prayers, should there be any good deeds I have ever performed,” said Hery.
Hery stated that the Ombudsman’s duty is to serve public complaints and that he had always been passionate about this mission. Consequently, he noted, public complaints must be addressed by the ORI.
“I say once again, I apologise if any mistakes were made,” he added.
Allegedly, bribes were received to influence Hery, who was serving as a Member of the Indonesian Ombudsman for the 2021-2026 period, to manipulate the Ombudsman’s Final Audit Reports (LHP). The alleged manipulation aimed to have Hery declare in the reports that the determination of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) for Forest Area Usage (PKH) on behalf of PT Thosida Indonesia and PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry constituted maladministration.
Furthermore, the manipulation sought to declare that the rejection of applications to upgrade Exploration Mining Business Permits (IUP) to Production Operation Permits for PT Mitra Kumala Energi and PT Gold Telen River also constituted maladministration.
In detail, Hery allegedly received bribes from Laode Sinarwan Oda, Director of PT Thosida Indonesia, amounting to Rp675 million via Lukman Malanuang, delivered through Edi Sukandi. He also received Rp200 million from Tjia Peng Tjoan, also known as Peng, Director of PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri, via Lukman Malanuang.
Additionally, bribes were received from Agung Winarno in the form of a house located in Pulo Gebang Permai, Jakarta, valued at Rp2.2 billion; cash amounting to Rp1.2 billion via Edi Sukandi; and an additional Rp525 million. The prosecution further stated that money was received from Muhammad Rozai, representing PT Mitra Kumala Energi, through Agung Winarno, amounting to Rp50 million.
For his actions, the former ORI Chair is charged with criminal acts regulated under Article 12 letter a or Article 12 letter b or Article 5 paragraph (2) juncto Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001, or Article 606 paragraph (2) of the National Criminal Code in conjunction with various provisions of Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustment.