Former Ombudsman Member Yeka Hendra Detained Over CPO Obstruction Case

Jakarta, KOMPAS.com – The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) has immediately detained former Indonesian Ombudsman member Yeka Hendra Fatika at Salemba Prison, a branch of Kejagung, after he was named a suspect in a case involving alleged obstruction of corruption prosecution related to crude palm oil (CPO) export facilitation and derivatives in 2022.

“Currently, the suspect is being held for 20 days at Salemba Prison under the Attorney General’s Office,” said Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Director of Investigation for the Special Crimes Unit (Jampidsus), at the Kejagung building in Jakarta on Monday evening (25 May 2026).

Yeka is accused of deliberately obstructing the prosecution of a corruption case involving edible oil that implicated three major corporations: Wilmar Group, Musim Mas Group, and Permata Hijau Group.

Kejagung alleges Yeka illegally prepared the Indonesian Ombudsman’s inspection report (LHP) to support corporate lawsuits against the Ministry of Trade (MoT).

According to Syarief, the Ombudsman’s initial 2022 investigation focused on Indonesia’s cooking oil shortage. However, the report’s content allegedly changed to recommend revoking the domestic market obligation (DMO) related to CPO export policies.

“Mr YHF altered the Ombudsman report from addressing cooking oil shortages to recommending DMO revocation for export interests, done unlawfully,” Syarief explained.

Investigators also suspect the Ombudsman’s Report No. 418 dated 15 August 2022 was handed to corporate legal representatives and used as grounds for lawsuits at the State Administrative Court (PTUN) and civil courts against the MoT.

“Following the PTUN and civil court rulings, these were used in the plea to secure acquittal for the three corporations as consideration,” he added.

Additionally, Kejagung suspects Yeka received funds from Wilmar Group.

“Mr YHF received money from PT Wilmar Group via another person’s account in relation to the LHP,” he stated.

Syarief said investigators have evidence of transfers and witness statements regarding the funds, but did not disclose the amount involved.

Previously, Yeka was questioned as a witness by Jampidsus investigators at Kejagung on Monday morning, accompanied by his lawyer Haris Azhar.

Kejagung also conducted searches at Yeka’s office and home on 9 March 2026.