Former Ombudsman Chief Used Alias 'John Lennon 07' to Receive Bribes
Public prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office have revealed that former Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Hery Susanto, used pseudonyms when receiving bribes from several mining companies. The aliases were used by Hery when communicating with intermediaries.
“He used several pseudonyms, namely Hery HMI, John Lennon 07, Tolkeyem, Komandante, Edy Adhimas Hery HMI Cirebon, Septian, Hery HMI, Ponakan Supir 2021, and Tolkeyem MM, with mobile phone numbers as detailed in the indictment,” the prosecutor stated during the reading of the indictment at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday (25/6).
The prosecutor explained that the pseudonyms were used for communications on the WhatsApp application. These communications were related to the handling of recommendations for several mining companies through a witness named Agung Winarno.
The prosecutor revealed that Hery received bribes in the form of money and a house. The source of the bribes came from several companies whose Mining Business Permits (IUP) and Borrow-to-Use and Forest Area Release Permits were problematic. These problematic documents were subsequently reported to the Indonesian Ombudsman regarding requests for activation and extension of IUPs.
“The receipt of money and goods through Agung Winarno was intended to move the Defendant Hery Susanto to issue an Ombudsman Examination Report (LHP) stating that maladministration had occurred,” the prosecutor said.
Hery is accused of receiving bribes totalling Rp4.8 billion. There were at least six instances of bribe acceptance by Hery, including Rp675 million from La Ode Sinarwan Oda, Director of PT Toshida Indonesia, which was given through Lukman Malanuang and then handed over via Edi Sugandi. Another Rp200 million came from Tjia Peng Tjoe alias Peng, Director of PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri, also received through Lukman Malanuang.
Further bribes included a house in Pulo Gebang Permai Blok D5 Number 10, Pulo Gebang Village, Cakung, East Jakarta, valued at Rp2.2 billion, from Agung Winarno. Additionally, Agung Winarno provided Rp1 billion and Rp200 million through Edi Sugandi, as well as Rp525 million directly. Muhammad Rosal, a representative of PT Mitra Kumala Energi, also provided Rp50 million through Agung Winarno. The total amount of bribes and the house received by Hery amounted to Rp4.85 billion.
For his actions, Hery is charged with violating Article 12 letter a or Article 12 letter b in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 2 paragraph 8 appendix 1 Number 28 of Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments. Alternatively, he is charged under Article 5 paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Eradication Law, or Article 606 paragraph 2 of the National Criminal Code in conjunction with Article VII number 49 concerning Criminal Adjustments in conjunction with Article 18 of the Corruption Eradication Law.