Judge Cuts Off Corruption Defendant's Remarks on LNG Case: No Need to Comment on Verdict
Former Director of Gas at PT Pertamina, Hari Karyuliarto, has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in the corruption case involving the procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG), or liquefied natural gas. The judge reprimanded Hari for not commenting on the verdict when asked whether he would appeal or not.
The verdict hearing in the alleged LNG corruption case was held at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (4/5/2026). Initially, the judge stated that Hari could pursue a legal appeal, accept the decision, or take time to consider the verdict.
“So this is the decision read out by the panel of judges; regarding this decision, the defendants and the public prosecutors each have the right to state their position: accept, take time to consider, or appeal within a period of 7 days after the decision is pronounced, or you accept the decision, then the decision gains legal force, and subsequently you may apply for clemency to the President,” said the chief judge of the panel, Suwandi.
The judge also read out the verdict for the defendant, former VP of Strategic Planning Business Development in the Gas Directorate of Pertamina, Yenni Andayani. Yenni was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.
The judge asked Hari and Yenni to discuss with their legal team. Hari began to speak but was immediately cut off by the judge for appearing to comment on the decision.
“How about defendant Hari Karyuliarto, will you answer yourself or leave it to your advocate? What is your response? Accept, take time to consider, or appeal?” asked the judge.
“Honourable panel of judges, I have heard the considerations from the panel of judges; I feel this is a decision that,” said Hari, who was immediately interrupted by the judge.
“You do not need to comment on the decision. Your rights are to accept, take time to consider, or appeal. Commenting on the decision will come through legal remedies if you do not accept the decision,” said the judge.
“Very well, this is an evil decision, but even so, I have not yet thought about pursuing legal remedies,” replied Hari.
Hari stated he would take time to consider. In addition, the prosecutors and Yenni Andayani also stated they would take time to consider the verdict.
“So you will take time to consider?” asked the judge.
“I will use this 7-day period,” answered Hari.
The judge also reprimanded Hari’s advocate. The judge asked Hari’s advocate not to comment on the verdict.
“Earlier, Hari Karyuliarto’s advocate followed his client, also taking time to consider?” asked the judge.
“Yes, honourable panel, we will use this 7-day period, although in our view,” said Hari’s advocate, who was immediately cut off by the judge.
“No need to comment, that’s enough,” reprimanded the judge.
Previously, Hari was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison. The judge stated that Hari was proven guilty of committing corruption jointly in the LNG procurement.
“Declaring defendant I Hari Karyuliarto and defendant II Yenni Andayani proven legally and convincingly guilty of committing the criminal act of corruption jointly and continuously as charged in the second indictment of the Public Prosecutor,” said chief judge Suwandi when reading the decision at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (4/5).
“Imposing a prison sentence on Defendant I Hari Karyuliarto for 4 years and 6 months,” added the judge.
The judge also sentenced Hari to pay a fine of Rp 200 million. If the fine is not paid, it will be replaced with imprisonment for 80 days.
The judge also read out the verdict for Yenni Andayani. The judge sentenced Yenni to a prison term of 3.5 years and a fine of Rp 200 million, subsidiary 80 days imprisonment.
“And defendant II Yenni Andayani with a prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months,” said the judge.
The judge stated that Hari and Yenni were proven guilty of abusing their authority. The judge stated that the actions of Hari and Yenni in this case have caused losses to the state finances amounting to USD 113,839,186 or approximately Rp 1.9 trillion.