Former Pertamina Gas Director Demands Ahok Acknowledge LNG Sales Profits

JAKARTA – Former Gas Director of PT Pertamina Hari Karyuliarto demanded that former Pertamina (Persero) Commissioner Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, acknowledge that the sale of liquefied natural gas (LNG) generated substantial profits for the company.

“Why do you always evade the question of LNG profits?” Hari asked during proceedings in the alleged LNG corruption case at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday, 2 March 2026.

“I am not evading,” Ahok replied.

Hari then stated that Ahok had never acknowledged the existence of profits from LNG sales. However, he noted that when Ahok first took office as Pertamina Commissioner, the LNG operations were indeed reporting losses.

“No, I am not evading. That is not what I mean. From the beginning when I entered in 2020, it was reported that we would face losses going forward,” Ahok said.

Ahok subsequently acknowledged that PT Pertamina had achieved profits in 2020. He emphasised, however, that these profits did not stem solely from LNG sales.

“What I remember is that we increased our profits in 2020—we were expected to post losses but ended up with gains,” he stated.

“So, in this proceeding, are you acknowledging that there were profits?” Hari pressed further.

“The Pertamina company under my leadership, it moved from losses to profits, Sir. The largest in Pertamina’s history,” Ahok asserted firmly.

Onlookers in the courtroom responded with “Amen.”

“But not only from LNG, Sir. It also came from cost optimisation,” Ahok added.