Ombudsman RI Chairman Suspected of Corruption, MAKI Criticises Negligence of Selection Committee and DPR
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) Boyamin Saiman believes that Hery Susanto’s clearance as Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman (ORI) is inseparable from the negligence of the Selection Committee for the Ombudsman 2025/2026 and the DPR.
“All of this is not separate from the fault and negligence of the Selection Committee for the Ombudsman 2025/2026 and the DPR in allowing Hery Susanto to become Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman (ORI),” Boyamin criticised in his statement on Friday (17/4/2026).
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named Hery as a suspect in an alleged corruption case related to nickel mining business governance in Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra).
Boyamin assessed Hery’s track record during his tenure as an Ombudsman Commissioner for the 2021–2026 period as poor.
“I obtained information about HS’s poor performance from a member of the ORI Commissioners for the 2016-2021 and 2021-2026 periods, or who has served two terms,” he said.
“This member had tried to provide input to the Selection Committee and Commission II of the DPR to disqualify HS. However, it failed, and HS even passed and was appointed as Chairman of the ORI,” he added.
However, according to him, Hery’s integrity declined after serving at the Ombudsman.
Boyamin believes the selection committee and Commission II of the DPR should have traced that track record so that Hery did not pass the selection.
Boyamin urged the AGO to develop the investigation into Hery because, according to him, Hery handled mining issues during his time at the Ombudsman.
“We demand that the AGO develop allegations of bribery/gratification by HS regarding recommendations related to mining because during the 2021-2026 period, HS fully handled mining issues and problems,” he explained.
In fact, Hery had just officially become Chairman of the Ombudsman for the 2026-2031 period on Friday (10/4/2026).
Hery received a request for assistance from the mining company PT TSHI so that PT TSHI could avoid paying the Non-Tax State Revenue for the Forest Area Borrowing Permit (PNBP IPPKH) as stipulated in the decision of the Ministry of Forestry.