Hearing Verdict in Marcella Santoso Cooking Oil Graft Case Postponed to 3 March
The verdict hearing in the alleged bribery and money laundering case involving a 40 billion rupiah bribe related to a palm oil (migor) matter has been postponed by one day. The verdict hearing, originally scheduled for 2 March, has been rescheduled to 3 March 2026.
This was announced by the presiding judge Efendi during a closing argument hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday, 27 February 2026. The judge requested additional time to deliberate before delivering the verdict in the case.
“In order to give the bench an opportunity to deliberate and prepare all aspects of the decision, what we had previously scheduled for the 2nd [of March], we have realised there is insufficient time, so we request an additional day to the 3rd, God willing, Tuesday the 3rd,” stated the judge.
In addition to Marcella, the bench will deliver verdicts for other defendants in the bribery case, including Ariyanto Bakri, Junaedi Saibih, and M Syafei.
On the same day, the judge will also deliver verdicts for three defendants in an alleged investigation obstruction case involving three matters: the palm oil case, tin commodities, and sugar imports. The three defendants in the alleged obstruction case are Junaedi Saibih, Adhiya Muzzaki, and Tian Bahtiar.
The judge appealed to the public not to tarnish the proceedings, noting that it would be naive to undermine the case handling with such conduct, particularly given that the matter originated from an alleged case of bribery of a judge.
Allegations
Marcella Santoso is alleged to have provided a 40 billion rupiah bribe for an acquittal in a corruption case involving the management of crude palm oil (CPO) export licences. Prosecutors stated that the bribe was given by Marcella jointly with three other defendants: Ariyanto, Junaedi Saibih, and M Syafei, as representatives of the corporations Wilmar Group, Permata Hijau Group, and Musim Mas Group. Prosecutors also charged Marcella, Ariyanto, and M Syafei with money laundering offences.
Additionally, defendants Junaedi Saibih, M Adhiya Muzzaki, and Tian Bahtiar, as directors of JakTV, are charged with obstructing investigations into three cases. Prosecutors allege that Junaedi and others produced programmes and content intended to shape negative public opinion regarding the handling of the three matters.
The three cases involve corruption allegations in tin commodity governance, sugar import corruption at the Trade Ministry, and corruption in the management of crude palm oil (CPO) export licences. Prosecutors contend that Junaedi and others implemented an extra-legal scheme outside of court proceedings with the intention of forming negative public opinion as if the cases were being handled improperly.