Police Anti-Corruption Unit Applies Money Laundering Articles to Trace Coal Corruption Proceeds
The Indonesian National Police’s Corruption Crimes Special Unit (Kortas Tipikor Polri) is investigating alleged corruption in the procurement of coal for several Steam Power Plants (PLTU). The police are also applying money laundering (TPPU) articles to hunt for the assets and fund flows of the perpetrators involved in this case.
Kortas Tipikor Polri Head, Inspector General Totok Suharyanto, revealed that the case relates to the fulfilment of coal supplies for the 2018-2026 period. The police have found suspected irregularities involving several supplying companies.
“At the very least, investigators have found suspected irregularities in the procurement process and the fulfilment of coal supplies to PLTU by several involved companies, namely PT OBP and PT BRA,” said Totok during a press conference at the Bareskrim Polri building, South Jakarta, on Monday (6/7/2026).
On the same occasion, the Director of Enforcement of Kortas Tipikor Polri, Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo, emphasised that the application of money laundering articles aims to optimise the recovery of state losses or asset recovery. He asserted that his department will track every fund flow suspected to originate from such practices.
“Investigators will take steps including the examination of witnesses related to the event, requesting expert testimony, seizing documents, electronic data, and other evidence related to this case, and tracing the flow of funds and assets suspected to originate from criminal acts,” said De Deo.
In this case, the police are also applying Articles 3, 4, 5, and 10 of Law Number 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering. This step was taken due to indications of financial and economic losses to the state, which are suspected to reach Rp 5 trillion.
“As a result of these actions, combined with the economic losses related to the occurrence of blackouts, it is indicated that state financial and/or economic losses have occurred amounting to approximately Rp 5 trillion,” said De Deo.
“However, regarding this value, we are currently coordinating with the Indonesian Audit Board (BPK RI) to conduct an official investigative audit,” he added.
De Deo revealed three modes used in these alleged corrupt practices, including the manipulation of documents regarding the quality, quantity, and contract prices of coal.
“The modes we found during the investigation include suspected manipulation of documents regarding the quality of the coal being sent or supplied,” explained De Deo.
“Furthermore, there is manipulation regarding the quantity of coal supplied to the PLTU, as well as suspected irregularities resulting in payments or contract prices that do not correspond to the actual or real supply conditions,” he clarified.
These corrupt practices, he continued, are strongly suspected to be the cause of electricity supply disruptions in various regions. The police stated that these quality and quantity irregularities triggered recent power outages or blackouts.
“These actions or modes are suspected to have contributed to the disruption of coal supplies, which impacted the occurrence of blackouts or power outages in several regions of Indonesia, such as Sumatra, parts of Kalimantan, Central Java, East Java, and parts of the Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) area,” explained De Deo.