Ombudsman Chairman Manipulates Report for Rp1.5 Billion from Mining Entrepreneur
JAKARTA - The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has revealed the modus operandi employed by Hery Susanto (HS), Chairman of the Ombudsman, in a suspected criminal corruption case concerning the governance of nickel mining operations in Southeast Sulawesi from 2013 to 2025.
Head of the AGO’s Legal Information Centre, Anang Supriatna, stated that Hery engaged in fabrication and manipulation after being promised Rp1.5 billion to assist PT TSHI.
The case originated when the owner of PT TSHI faced issues with non-tax state revenue (PNBP) calculations by the Ministry of Forestry and objected to making the payment.
“Subsequently, Mr HS, serving as a Commissioner of the Ombudsman for the 2021-2026 period, agreed to help by conducting an inspection of the Ministry of Forestry, ostensibly stemming from a public complaint,” Anang said in his statement on Thursday (16/4/2026).
“As a result, the Ombudsman issued a correction ordering PT TSHI to calculate its own obligations to the state,” he added.
To facilitate this plan, Hery met several times in April 2025 with relevant parties from PT TSHI.
During these meetings, LKM, Director of PT TSHI, asked Hery to identify administrative errors in the PNBP - Forest Area Borrowing Permit (IPPKH) calculation process as outlined in the Ministry of Forestry’s decision.
“In agreement, Mr HS was to receive Rp1.5 billion,” Anang added.
Following this, Hery manipulated and issued the Ombudsman’s Inspection Result Report (LHP) in line with the agreement with PT TSHI.
After being named a suspect, Hery was detained for the next 20 days at the Salemba Detention Centre branch of the South Jakarta District Prosecutor’s Office.
As the suspect in this case, Hery is charged under Article 12 letter a in conjunction with Article 12 letter in conjunction with Article 5 Paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 18 of the Law on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.
Additionally, Hery is charged under Article 606 paragraph (2) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 18 of the Law on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption.