Semeru Institute Director Backs Police Anti-Corruption Unit in Coal Corruption Probe

Semeru Institute Director Kadrian Hi Muhlis has expressed support for the National Police’s Corruption Eradication Corps (Kortas Tipikor) in investigating alleged corruption in coal supply fulfilment that led to blackouts in Sumatra and several other Indonesian regions. The Semeru Institute is calling on the public to oversee the law enforcement process critically and objectively. “We urge all parties to fully support the law enforcement process currently being handled by the National Police,” Kadrian told journalists on Thursday (9/7/2026). According to Kadrian, the move by Kortas Tipikor and investigators from the Metro Jaya Regional Police is purely a matter of law enforcement. He stated that the investigation is an effort by investigators to uncover state losses resulting from suspected crimes identified during the preliminary inquiry. The action is also seen as following up on President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to eradicate corruption in Indonesia. “For us, this law enforcement process is not about holding anyone hostage; it is purely about handling corruption as ordered by the President,” he stressed. Kadrian also invited all elements of society to monitor the ongoing legal process, hoping that the investigation by Kortas Tipikor would proceed transparently and professionally. “We invite civil society, academics, the media, and community organisations to oversee the law enforcement process critically yet objectively, and to encourage it to be transparent, professional, and free from intervention,” he said. The Semeru Institute also expressed regret over attempts by external parties that could disrupt the legal process. “We regret any intervention by other institutions in the law enforcement process,” he stated. Kortas Tipikor is currently investigating the alleged corruption case in coal supply fulfilment that triggered blackouts in Sumatra and other parts of Indonesia. The case has been elevated to the investigation stage. “Investigators are reporting on the progress of the corruption and money laundering case related to the procurement of coal supply for several power plants during the period from 2018 to 2026,” said Kortas Tipikor Chief Inspector General Totok Suharyanto at a press conference at the Criminal Investigation Department on Monday (6/7). The investigation status was determined on 4 July 2026. Totok said investigators found that two companies were suspected of legal violations in the coal supply fulfilment. “At a minimum, investigators found alleged irregularities in the procurement and supply of coal to power plants by several companies involved: PT OBP and PT BRA,” Totok stated. Kortas Tipikor Director of Enforcement Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo added that there were several modus operandi used by the suspected perpetrators, including document manipulation. Investigators also discovered manipulation of the quantity of coal supplied to the power plants, as well as alleged irregularities that resulted in payments or contract prices not matching the actual supply conditions. No suspects have yet been named in this corruption case. Investigators have examined 16 witnesses and analysed a number of documents. State losses are estimated to reach Rp 5 trillion.