Police Uncover Rp 5 Trillion Coal Corruption Case Dating Back to 2018, Two Companies Implicated

The Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortas Tipikor) of the Indonesian National Police is investigating an alleged corruption case involving the procurement of coal supplies for several coal-fired power plants (PLTU). The alleged fraud is believed to have occurred over the past six years.

Kortas Tipikor Chief Inspector General Totok Suharyanto stated during a press conference at the Criminal Investigation Department that the investigation was elevated to the formal inquiry stage on 4 July 2026. He noted that two companies are suspected of irregularities in the procurement and fulfilment of coal supplies for the power plants: PT OBB and PT BRA.

Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo, Director of Enforcement at Kortas Tipikor, detailed the methods of manipulation uncovered by investigators. These included falsifying documents related to the quality of coal supplied, manipulating the quantity of coal delivered to the power plants, and causing discrepancies between contract payments and the actual condition of the supply.

De Deo explained that these actions disrupted coal supplies and contributed to blackouts in several regions of Indonesia, including parts of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Central Java, East Java, and the Greater Jakarta area. Initial calculations indicate that the state has suffered financial and economic losses of approximately Rp 5 trillion as a result of these activities. The police are currently coordinating with the Supreme Audit Agency to conduct a comprehensive investigative audit of the case.