Former Ombudsman Chairman Denies Accepting Rp4.8 Billion Bribe: 'It's an Old House'

Former Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman (ORI) for the 2021-2026 period, Hery Susanto, has denied receiving bribes in the form of cash or a house worth Rp4.85 billion, as charged by the public prosecutor from the Attorney General’s Office. ‘There was no flow of money. There is no house either, it’s an old house,’ Hery said when met after the indictment hearing at the Corruption Court in Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday. He stated that his legal team would therefore prove the facts regarding the charges against him. Despite the prosecutor’s indictment, Hery did not file an objection. His lawyer, Alex Candra, said the team did not object because the matter only concerned the formal aspects of the indictment. ‘Whether the formal indictment is fully met or not. So it would only be a waste of time,’ Alex explained. He added that his team would immediately address the substance of the indictment accusing his client of corruption. In the alleged corruption case related to nickel mining business governance for the 2021-2026 period, Hery is accused of receiving bribes totalling Rp4.85 billion in cash and property. The bribes were allegedly received to influence Hery, who was then serving as a Member of the Indonesian Ombudsman, to manipulate the Ombudsman’s Examination Results Report (LHP). The manipulation was intended to declare that the determination of Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) payment obligations for Forest Area Use (PKH) on behalf of PT Thosida Indonesia and PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry constituted maladministration. It was also intended to declare the rejection of applications to upgrade Mining Business Permits (IUP) from Exploration to Production Operation for PT Mitra Kumala Energi and PT Gold Telen River as maladministration. In detail, Hery allegedly received Rp675 million from Laode Sinarwan Oda, Director of PT Thosida Indonesia, through Lukman Malanuang, delivered via Edi Sukandi. He also allegedly received Rp200 million from Tjia Peng Tjoan, also known as Peng, Director of PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri, through Lukman Malanuang.