Kerry Adrianto's Uncle Denies Acting as Messenger for Riza Chalid to Smooth BBM Merak Terminal Lease

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The uncle of PT Orbit Terminal Merak’s beneficial owner, Muhamad Kerry Adrianto Riza, Irawan Prakoso, has denied ever serving as a mouthpiece for Kerry’s father, Mohamad Riza Chalid, to communicate with Pertamina officials in order to facilitate the BBM terminal lease project in Merak.

Irawan explained this when questioned by the defence team for the accused in the continuation of the case file hearing for Hanung Budya Yuktyanta, Director of Marketing and Trading at PT Pertamina (Persero) from April 2012 to 2014, and former VP of Supply and Distribution at PT Pertamina (Persero), Alfian Nasution.

“Is it true that in 2012, as Mohamad Riza Chalid’s trusted associate, you conveyed a message from Mohamad Riza Chalid for PT Pertamina (Persero) to use the Merak BBM Terminal to Mr Hanung?” asked Hanung’s lawyer, Aldres Napitupulu, during the hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

“Never,” Irawan replied.

“Then, did you state that Tanki Merak would take over and offer it to the corporation, PT Pertamina (Persero), which was responded to by Mr Hanung by asking Mr Irawan to submit a proposal letter?” Aldres pressed.

Irawan said he never made such a statement, which the indictment claims occurred in 2013.

“(In March 2013) allegedly you said again that Tanki Merak (Kerry’s company) would take over and offer the TBBM to PT Pertamina (Persero). Did that happen, sir?” Aldres asked again.

Irawan again denied ever dealing with Kerry’s company.

Hanung, now an accused in a separate case file, admitted to feeling pressured by Mohamad Riza Chalid’s side if he did not sign the fuel oil (BBM) terminal agreement. This was stated in Hanung’s examination record (BAP) read out by the prosecutor.

“If I do not sign the OE or HTS approval, the direct appointment of the winner, namely PT Oiltanking Merak, and the signing of the fuel oil (BBM) receiving, storage, and delivery services agreement with PT Oiltanking Merak, I will be removed due to pressure from Mohamad Riza Chalid,” said prosecutor Triyana Setia Putra during the hearing at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday (20/10/2025).

In the same BAP, Hanung claimed the pressure from Riza Chalid came through the arrival of Irawan Prakoso.

Hanung stated that Irawan was Riza’s trusted associate.