House Commission II Keeps Replacement Ombudsman Candidate Secret

The House of Representatives’ Commission II is reluctant to reveal the name of the interim replacement (PAW) candidate for the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, succeeding Hery Susanto, who was entangled in a corruption case concerning nickel mining governance in Southeast Sulawesi for the 2013-2025 period. Deputy Chairman of Commission II, Bahtra Banong, stated that the candidate’s name has been submitted to the House leadership. “We have sent it to the House leadership. Please check with the leadership,” Bahtra said at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/7).

Referring to the provisions, based on the results of the fit and proper test, in addition to appointing nine members for the 2026-2031 term, the House had also previously designated 10 other names prepared as replacements. These are, in order, Wahidah Suaib, Radian Syam, I Gusti Ngurah Agung Yuliarta Endrawan, Muhammad Nurkhoiron, Nazir Salim Manik, Faisal Amir, AH Maftuchan, Dian Rubianty, and Asnifriyanti Damanik. When asked whether the proposed name was Wahidah Suaib, Bahtra again declined to comment. He argued that there is no regulation stating that the determination of a PAW candidate is based on the previous selection ranking order. “The law does not regulate the order number of who will replace. So, during our meeting yesterday, Commission II had to find a legal basis. It turns out there is not a single article stating that the replacement for a PAW, if there is a permanent impediment, is governed by any clause regarding the next sequential number,” he said.

Previously, the 26th Plenary Session of the House of Representatives for the fifth sitting period had approved the replacement Ombudsman member for Hery Susanto, who was implicated in a corruption case concerning nickel mining governance in Southeast Sulawesi for the 2013-2025 period. The approval meeting referred to the letter from the leadership of Commission II Number B-39613 dated 20 July 2026 regarding the appointment of the PAW member of the Ombudsman for the 2026-2031 term. “Therefore, we request the approval of the factions whether the appointment of the interim replacement member of the Ombudsman for the 2026-2031 term can be approved?” asked House Speaker Puan Maharani, who chaired the session, on Tuesday (21/7). Despite this, the meeting did not reveal the identity of Hery’s replacement.