Irawan Prakoso Denies Prosecutors' Claims, Asserts He Never Intervened with Pertamina on BBM Terminal Rental
Businessman Irawan Prakoso has denied pressuring PT Pertamina (Persero) to rent the BBM terminal of PT Orbit Terminal Merak (OTM), owned by Muhammad Kerry Adrianto Riza. Prakoso made this denial while testifying in the trial for alleged corruption in the management of oil and refinery products at PT Pertamina, which implicates former President Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga Alfian Nasution and former Director of Marketing and Trading at Pertamina Hanung Budya Yuktyanta, at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
In the proceedings, the defendant’s lawyer, Aldres Napitupulu, confirmed several points from the prosecutors’ indictment that mentioned Prakoso’s involvement as a trusted associate of Muhammad Riza Chalid in conveying messages regarding the rental of OTM’s BBM terminal. In response to these questions, Prakoso consistently denied all allegations.
“This is a claim like this, sir, is it true that in 2012, as Muhammad Riza Chalid’s trusted person, you conveyed a message from Muhammad Riza Chalid for Pertamina Persero to use the Merak BBM terminal to Mr Hanung?” asked the defendant’s lawyer, Aldres Napitupulu.
“Never, sir,” Prakoso replied firmly.
Prakoso also denied ever offering or conveying information about plans to take over PT OTM’s BBM terminal to Hanung. This denial came after Aldres read from the indictment stating that Prakoso met Hanung in March 2013. Aldres confirmed that the meeting discussed OTM’s BBM terminal offered to Pertamina.
“There’s more in the indictment, on page 29, sir, it says in March 2013 you met Mr Hanung again, conveying information about a BBM terminal owned by Oil Tangki Merak that was to be sold, and you stated that Tangki Merak would take it over and offered it to Persero, Pertamina Persero, which Mr Hanung responded by telling you to submit a proposal letter?” asked Aldres.
“No, never,” he answered.
Prakoso also denied ever pressuring Hanung to expedite or facilitate the rental of OTM’s BBM terminal.
“Never,” he said.
Regarding the meetings mentioned in the indictment, Prakoso admitted to meeting Hanung. However, he emphasised that these were in the context of social visits or ordinary meetings. He stressed that there was no discussion about BBM terminal cooperation in those meetings.
“Social visit, sir,” he said.
He also stated that he never communicated with other parties regarding the use of the Merak BBM facilities or payment issues by Pertamina.
“I never communicated with Mr Suhartoko,” he said.
Prakoso also claimed ignorance of any issues with Pertamina delaying payments for the rental of PT OTM’s BBM terminal. He emphasised that Kerry Riza never mentioned such matters to him.
“Then, sir, between 2014 and 2017, did Kerry or his director Mr Gading ever contact you, or did you somehow learn that the use of the Merak BBM facilities had not been paid by Pertamina? So they asked for your help to resolve it or what?” asked Aldres.
“Oh no, never,” Prakoso replied.
“Did you ever know that from 2014 to 2017 Pertamina did not pay for the use of that BBM terminal, was it ever mentioned, sir?” probed Aldres.
“I don’t know,” Prakoso stated firmly.
After the trial, Prakoso reiterated that he never pressured Hanung, Alfian, or any other Pertamina parties regarding the rental of PT OTM’s BBM terminal.
“I emphasise once again in the trial earlier. First, I never pressured Mr Hanung, or Mr Alfian, either on my own behalf or on behalf of Mr Muhammad Riza Chalid or on behalf of OTM,” said Prakoso.
He emphasised that in his meetings with Hanung, he never acted on behalf or conveyed messages from Riza Chalid. Prakoso also never discussed OTM issues or BBM terminal rentals in his meetings with Hanung.
“So what I discussed was other business opportunities. As I also mentioned in the trial, at that time I wanted to, what is it, pioneer a biodiesel business. Although in the end, that business did not happen. So actually, in principle,” he said.
Prakoso is unconcerned about the prosecutors’ threat to have the panel of judges charge him with giving false testimony in court. He emphasised that he provided truthful testimony.
“Well, if I did not give false testimony, I gave the actual testimony, why should I be afraid? Right? That’s as simple as that,” he stated firmly.
Prakoso also denied that the five vehicles seized by the Attorney General’s Office belong to Riza Chalid. He emphasised that the vehicles are his own.
“Those vehicles are the result of my hard work, the sweat of my own brow, right? There is no connection at all with Muhammad Riza Chalid. So, hopefully, those vehicles can be returned to me,” he said.