MAKI to Submit Additional Data to Police in Coal Supply Corruption Case Linked to Blackouts

The Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI), Boyamin Saiman, is supporting the National Police’s Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortastipidkor) in investigating alleged corruption in the supply of coal to several Steam Power Plants (PLTU). The alleged misappropriation of the energy commodity is suspected to have triggered mass blackouts in Sumatra and several other regions in Indonesia. Boyamin stressed that he will oversee the investigation process until it is complete. He also stated that he is ready to submit data in his possession to assist the police in uncovering the case. “I fully support Kortastipidkor in handling the alleged corruption related to coal, I will oversee it closely, and I will add the data that I have,” Boyamin told reporters on Wednesday (8/7). Boyamin revealed that the alleged irregularities in the coal supply have been ongoing for a long time. He claimed to have data indicating a mode of manipulation, both in terms of the quality and quantity of tonnage of the commodity distributed, as well as price disparities that caused losses to state corporations. “Because this game is suspected to have been going on for a long time and there is a very clear alleged manipulation, where it was bought for 3,000 by traders, but then sold to PLN for 4,000. I have the data on this. This clearly harms PLN, and I will oversee it,” Boyamin explained. Previously, Kortastipidkor Polri elevated the status of the case concerning alleged corruption and money laundering related to the procurement and fulfilment of coal supply needs for several PLTUs for the 2018 to 2026 period to the investigation stage on 4 July 2026. The Head of Kortastipidkor Polri, Inspector General Totok Suharyanto, explained that the investigation team has identified legal irregularities in the procurement and supply process involving private business entities. “We convey the progress of handling the corruption and money laundering case related to the procurement of coal supply for several PLTUs during the 2018 to 2026 period. At the very least, investigators have found alleged irregularities in the procurement and supply process of coal at PLTUs by several companies involved: PT OBP and PT BRA,” said Totok. The Director of Enforcement at Kortastipidkor Polri, Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo, explained that the alleged modus operandi includes the manipulation of administrative documents, manipulation of the volume or quantity of coal sent to the PLTUs, and engineering that caused the contract payment value to be inconsistent with the actual supply conditions in the field. To date, the police have confirmed that no formal suspects have been named in the case, as the investigation and evidence gathering are still ongoing. Investigators have so far examined at least 16 witnesses, analysed various operational document files, and explored other evidence, with potential state losses estimated to reach Rp5 trillion.