Ombudsman Speaks Out After Prosecutors Search Office, Ready to Cooperate
The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) conducted searches of the Ombudsman’s building and the residence of Ombudsman Commissioner Yeka Hendra Fatika last week. Ombudsman Chairman Mokhammad Najih stated that the institution respects the Attorney General’s Office and will remain cooperative.
“Therefore, the Ombudsman is open and prepared to work together with the Attorney General’s investigative team in the interest of law enforcement and will ensure that the legal process conducted by the Attorney General’s investigators proceeds transparently and accountably,” Najih said, as quoted from the official Ombudsman website on Monday (16 March 2026).
He noted that the Ombudsman respects the rule of law and compliance with regulations, and has legal protection under Law Number 37 of 2008 on the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia. According to the Ombudsman Law, all oversight products, whether in the form of Investigation Reports or Ombudsman Recommendations, are regulated through the Ombudsman’s internal procedures and have undergone rigorous control mechanisms.
“The Ombudsman’s operational foundation is public trust. Public legitimacy is crucial for the Ombudsman in carrying out its supervisory duties regarding public services in Indonesia, and this foundation requires mutual respect in executing our duties and functions,” Najih stated.
He explained that the oversight products issued by the Ombudsman are morally binding, dependent on the ethical conduct and integrity of public service providers. The Ombudsman remains open to criticism.
“With respect to the Ombudsman’s oversight products, these essentially form part of judicial independence in deciding cases according to applicable law,” Najih clarified.
“We are very open to public scrutiny and criticism, which strengthens the Ombudsman institution,” he added.
Previously, prosecutors searched the office and residence of Ombudsman Commissioner Yeka Hendra Fatika regarding allegations of corruption in crude oil management. The investigation stems from acquittals issued on 19 March 2025 against three corporations prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office: Wilmar Group, Musim Mas Group, and Permata Hijau Group.
It later emerged that the acquittals had been predetermined through alleged bribery. Prosecutors subsequently charged multiple individuals including judges and lawyers involved.
One key reason the judge issued the acquittals was a decision from the State Administrative Court (PTUN) that favoured the corporations. One instrument utilised by the corporations was an Ombudsman recommendation concluding that there had been maladministration in crude palm oil export policy.
Prosecutors suspect foul play behind the Ombudsman recommendation. This prompted the investigation of the Ombudsman Commissioner, who is suspected of involvement in the alleged scheme.
“Yes, that is one of the reasons (related to the Ombudsman’s recommendation for the PTUN lawsuit),” said Head of the Attorney General’s Legal Information Centre (Kapuspenkum) Anang Supriatna on Monday (9 March 2026), when asked whether the search was related to the Ombudsman recommendation used by the corporations in their PTUN case.
According to Anang, the Ombudsman Commissioner’s actions are suspected of obstructing the Attorney General’s investigation. The consequence of these actions allowed the corporations to temporarily evade legal consequences.
“He faces charges under Article 21 of the Corruption Eradication Law on obstruction of investigation and prosecution regarding the previous cooking oil case that resulted in an acquittal,” Anang explained.