Profile of Samin Tan: The Attorney General's Suspect Who Once Saved BUMI
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — Samin Tan is currently facing legal proceedings at the Republic of Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung). The businessman, known for once ‘saving’ the Bakrie Group, has come under public scrutiny regarding his alleged involvement in a bribery case.
The issue concerns the Generation 3 Coal Mining Business Work Agreement (PKP2B) held by his subsidiary, PT Asmin Kolaindo Tuhup (AKT). The case focuses on efforts to negotiate a dispute over the mining contract in Central Kalimantan involving the company and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Director of Investigation of the Joint Investigation Team for Special Crimes, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, explained that the case has been elevated to the investigation stage since 25 March. The investigative team found indications of deviations in the management of the mine carried out by PT AKT.
“Today, the investigative team of the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes, based on Investigation Order Number 14 dated 25 March, about two days ago, has elevated to the investigation stage the alleged criminal act of corruption involving deviations in the management of PT AKT’s mining in Murung Raya Regency, Central Kalimantan,” said Director of Investigation of the Joint Investigation Team for Special Crimes at the Attorney General’s Office, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, as quoted from CNN Indonesia, early Saturday (28/3/2026).
The Attorney General’s designation of a suspect marks a new chapter for Samin Tan, who previously escaped legal demands in a different case at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). This investigation focuses more on the operational and managerial activities of his mining company in Central Kalimantan, which are alleged to have harmed the state.
“Then, today we have designated one suspect, namely ST (Samin Tan) in that case,” he added.
Syarief explained that the suspect designation was made after the investigative team obtained sufficient evidence through a series of investigative actions, namely the examination of witnesses and searches conducted in several areas, namely Jakarta, West Java, South Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.
“And it should be noted that searches are still ongoing, especially in Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan,” he added.
Profile of Samin Tan
Based on CNBC Indonesia’s research, Samin Tan is one of Indonesia’s richest individuals. Forbes once ranked him as the 28th richest in Indonesia with assets of US$940 million.
Forbes also stated that Samin Tan is known through Borneo Lumbung Energy, which also helped save the Bakrie business group by purchasing shares in Bumi Plc.
The rescue of Bumi Plc occurred during an ownership dispute involving the Bakrie family and US businessman Nathaniel Rothschild.