Police Investigate Coal Corruption at Power Plants, Suspected Cause of Java-Sumatra Blackouts

The Corruption Eradication Taskforce of the Indonesian National Police is investigating a case of alleged corruption and money laundering related to the procurement of coal supplies for several coal-fired power plants for the period 2018-2026. The head of the taskforce, Inspector General Totok Suharyanto, stated that the case was elevated to the investigation stage on 4 July. “Based on the results of a comprehensive inquiry, including document collection, requests for information, and initial analysis of sufficient preliminary evidence, the taskforce has elevated the handling status of this case to the investigation stage on 4 July 2026,” Totok said during a press conference on Monday (6/7). The investigation status was formalised through police report number LP/A/6/VII/2026/KORTASTIPIDKOR POLRI, dated 4 July 2026, and Investigation Order Number: SP.Sidik/63/VII/RES.3.1./2026/Kortastipidkor, also dated 4 July 2026. In this case, investigators found alleged irregularities in the procurement and fulfilment of coal supplies for power plants by two companies involved, namely PT OBP and PT BRA. The Director of Investigation at the taskforce, Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo, revealed several methods used in the alleged irregularities. These include the manipulation of coal quality documents, manipulation of coal quantity documents supplied, and irregularities resulting in payments or contract prices that did not reflect actual conditions. Yohanes stated that these irregularities contributed to blackouts in several regions of Indonesia some time ago. “These actions are suspected to have contributed to the disruption of coal supplies, which resulted in power outages in several areas of Sumatra, parts of Kalimantan, Central Java, East Java, and parts of the Greater Jakarta area,” he said. In this case, investigators are applying Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the old Criminal Code, or Article 603 or Article 604, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c in conjunction with Article 127 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Additionally, Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, and Article 10 of Law Number 8 of 2010 concerning the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering or Article 607 paragraph (1) letters a, b, and c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code are also being applied. “The application of these articles may still develop based on the results of the investigation,” Yohanes said.