Heated Hearing: Ahok Disputes When Questioned About LNG Purchases Before Commissioner Role

Jakarta – Former Chief Commissioner of PT Pertamina (Persero) Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, and the lawyer for former PT Pertamina Gas Director Hari Karyuliarto, Wa Ode Nur Zainab, engaged in a heated dispute during a hearing on alleged corruption in PT Pertamina’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) procurement at the Corruption Court (PN Tipikor) in Jakarta on Monday, 2 March 2026.

Initially, Wa Ode questioned whether Ahok had ever inquired about the results of an audit regarding the purchase of LNG from Corpus Christi Liquefaction in the United States during the period 2016–2018. She also asked whether Ahok knew when PT Pertamina first disbursed funds to purchase LNG from Corpus Christi Liquefaction.

Ahok responded that he was unaware of the existence of such an agreement. “Did you know when Pertamina first spent money to purchase LNG from Corpus Christi?” Wa Ode asked.

Wa Ode then asked whether Ahok knew about the realisation of the LNG purchase. Ahok stated that he was unaware of this matter and that it should be examined through audit reports. He also requested that Wa Ode refrain from conflating issues that had occurred before he assumed the role of Chief Commissioner of Pertamina.

“Do not confuse the matter,” Ahok said.

“This is not confusing; you simply answer my question,” replied Wa Ode.

“I only want to clarify that I took office in November 2019. Then in January during a BOD–BOC meeting, the directors reported that there would be losses from an LNG contract with no buyer. That needs to be clear first,” Ahok said.

“That does not need to be explained again; just answer the question,” said the presiding judge.

“Yes, just answer,” added Wa Ode.