Offices and Home of Ombudsman Member Yeka Hendra Searched by Attorney General
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) confirmed that it was conducting searches of the office and residence of Ombudsman member Yeka Hendra Fatika (YH) on Monday, 9 March.
“Yes, YH,” said Head of the AGO Legal Information Centre (Kapuspenkum) Anang Supriatna when asked to confirm.
Anang did not provide further details about the searches at the two locations.
Anang explained that the searches were conducted in relation to Article 21 concerning obstruction of investigation and prosecution in the palm oil case. In this case, the convicted parties are Marcella Santoso, Wilmar Group, Permata Hijau Group, and Musim Mas Group corporations.
Anang stated that the searches also relate to civil lawsuits filed by three convicted corporations to the State Administrative Court (PTUN). It is known that the Ombudsman is alleged to have provided recommendations for the civil lawsuits.
“He faces Article 21 regarding obstruction of investigation and prosecution in the old cooking oil case, the acquittal decision,” said Anang.
Previously, prosecutors from the Central Jakarta District Attorney’s Office revealed a conspiracy involving lawyers and judges, as well as a commitment of USD 2.5 million (approximately Rp40 billion) to secure acquittals for three corporations—PT Permata Hijau Group, PT Wilmar Group, and PT Musim Mas Group—in a corruption case involving the export of crude palm oil (CPO) and its derivatives from January to April 2022.
Prosecutors accused the former Deputy Chief of Central Jakarta District Court Muhammad Arif Nuryanta of receiving bribes or gratification considered as bribes totalling Rp40 billion.
The receipt of the alleged bribe money was carried out by Arif together with judges Djuyamto, Agam Syarief Baharudin, and Ali Muhtarom (charged in separate files).
These three individuals are judges at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court (Pengadilan Tipikor) who examined and decided on the acquittals of the corporations Permata Hijau Group, Wilmar Group, and Musim Mas Group.
In the conspiracy, someone named Ariyanto conveyed information about the existence of civil lawsuits, State Administrative Court decisions, and Ombudsman recommendations that could later be considered in deciding the palm oil corporation corruption case.
“Based on Ariyanto’s information, the defendant Muhammad Arif Nuryanta then asked Ariyanto about his seriousness in wanting help, and Ariyanto replied ‘Okay, one package for 20 billion,’ and the defendant Muhammad Arif Nuryanta replied ‘How can I share with the panel, if 3 million dollars I’m okay,’ and Ariyanto replied ‘Okay, I’ll try but please help for the acquittal,’” said the prosecutor.