Riza Chalid Named Suspect in Petral Case, Attorney General's Office Intensifies Coordination with Interpol
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has once again designated oil businessman Mohammad Riza Chalid (MRC) as a suspect in a corruption case. This time, the matter ensnaring Riza concerns the procurement of crude oil by Pertamina Energy Trading Limited (Petral) from 2008 to 2015.
It is known that Riza Chalid was previously named a suspect in an alleged corruption case regarding crude oil governance that caused state losses amounting to Rp285 trillion. The AGO has also included his name on the wanted persons list (DPO).
Nevertheless, the Director of Special Criminal Investigation at the AGO’s Special Operations Directorate, Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, affirmed the office’s commitment to repatriating MRC. He confirmed that Riza Chalid’s red notice status remains active.
“We continue to collaborate with Interpol, particularly Interpol Indonesia, to bring Mr MRC back,” said Syarief during a press conference at the Attorney General’s Office in South Jakarta on Thursday (9/4/2026).
Syarief explained that Riza Chalid is now implicated in more than one case. In addition to the unresolved previous case, he has officially become a suspect in this new matter related to oil trading governance at Petral.
“Efforts are ongoing, and thus MRC is a suspect not only in the previous case but also in this one,” he continued.
He emphasised that the AGO is still working to repatriate Riza Chalid. He hopes that Riza Chalid can be brought back to Indonesia as soon as possible.
“For the timeline, we are certainly striving for it to happen as quickly as possible,” said Syarief.
He explained that efforts to repatriate fugitives abroad must respect the sovereignty of other countries’ legal systems. Nonetheless, he assured that investigators are continuously pursuing capture as swiftly as possible.
“Because this involves the jurisdiction of other countries, outside Indonesia’s jurisdiction, it seems we need time, but we have undertaken all the best efforts,” stated Syarief.
“All the best efforts have been made. We also hope to soon bring Mr MRC, as the suspect, to Indonesia,” he added.
Syarief said that the office is continuously coordinating with Interpol. He also mentioned that investigators have obtained several locations suspected to be Riza Chalid’s hiding places.
“Clearly, first, the individual is outside Indonesia. Second, we remain in communication with relevant units, both with the local NCB, Interpol in Lyon, and several countries where we suspect the individual’s whereabouts,” he clarified.
On the other hand, Syarief revealed the impact of the 2008-2015 Petral crude oil procurement corruption case. He noted that the fraudulent practices led to an extended fuel supply chain process reaching consumers.
This situation, he said, affected the prices of Premium (88) and Pertamax (92) fuels circulating in society during that period.
“The tender or procurement process for crude oil and refinery products resulted in a longer supply chain and higher prices,” said Syarief.
“Particularly for Gasoline 88, known as Premium 88, and Gasoline 92. This caused losses to PT Pertamina,” he added.
Syarief explained that the case originated when Petral officials leaked internal company confidential information regarding crude oil and gasoline needs. This information was allegedly used to rig tender winners and influence prices.
Riza Chalid, through his subordinate IRW, then exploited this to influence the crude oil procurement, refinery products, and transportation tender processes.
“Mr MRC, through Mr IRW, communicated with procurement officials both at Petral and Pertamina,” revealed Syarief.
He explained that IRW communicated with suspects BBG, MLY, and TFK. Through this communication, tender conditioning and disclosure of HPS (Estimated Own Price) values occurred.
This conditioning led to overpriced procurement due to non-competitive processes. To facilitate Riza Chalid’s plans, Syarief continued, Petral officials then issued guidelines contrary to the board meeting minutes.
As a result, the tender was successfully conducted, and an MoU was established between Petral and Riza Chalid’s companies to supply refinery oil products from 2012 to 2014.
The following is the list of seven suspects in this case:
BBG, as Manager of Marketing and Trading Directorate at PT Pertamina;
AGS, as Head of Trading at Pertamina Energy Services (PES) from 2012 to 2014;
MLY, as Senior Trader at Petral from 2009 to 2015;
NRD, as Crude Trading Manager at PES;
TFK, as VP of ISC at PT Pertamina;
MRC, as Beneficial Owner of several companies participating in the tender;
IRW, as Director of MRC’s companies.
The suspects are charged under Articles 2 and 3 of the Corruption Eradication Law. To date, investigators are still calculating the extent of state losses in this case with the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).