Suspect in Oil and Gas Corruption Case, Former Lampung Governor Arinal, Detained by Provincial Prosecutor's Office

Former Lampung Governor Arinal Djunaidi (ARD) has been designated as a suspect in an alleged corruption case and detained by the Lampung Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Arinal, who served as Governor of Lampung from 2019 to 2024, is implicated in an alleged corruption involving an oil and gas commission worth US$17.2 million, equivalent to Rp271 billion. For the purposes of the investigation, he was detained by prosecutors at Way Huwi Detention Centre from Tuesday (28/4) evening.

Arinal is entangled in the case concerning the oil and gas commission or Participating Interest (PI) funds amounting to 10 per cent in PT Lampung Energi Berjaya (LEB) from Pertamina Hulu Energi Offshore South East Sumatera (PHEOSES) during 2019-2024.

This law enforcement action represents a new chapter in the probe into the alleged corruption of oil and gas commission funds in the Land of Ruwa Jurai.

The Head of the Lampung High Prosecutor’s Office (Kajati), Danang Suryo Wibowo, stated that Arinal’s designation as a suspect followed a series of in-depth witness examinations and case reviews by the investigative team.

Based on the results of the exposure, he said, the investigating prosecutors found two valid pieces of evidence to implicate Arinal in the vortex of the alleged corruption of the oil and gas commission profit-sharing funds.

“The results of the examination and case review revealed two sufficient pieces of evidence related to the alleged criminal act of corruption involving Mr ARD,” Danang said in his statement yesterday.

“For the purposes of the investigation, ARD has been detained at Class I Bandar Lampung Detention Centre in Way Huwi. The detention is for 20 days ahead, effective from today, 28 April, until 17 May 2026,” he added.

Arinal had previously failed to appear for two summonses from investigators, before finally complying with the call from the Lampung High Prosecutor’s Office Special Crimes Unit on Tuesday afternoon.

After undergoing a marathon examination until Tuesday evening, at around 10:25 PM WIB, Arinal emerged from the Special Crimes Unit building of the Lampung High Prosecutor’s Office wearing a mask and a pink detainee vest. He was seen being escorted by officials from the Prosecutor’s Office and security personnel.

With his hands handcuffed in iron, Arinal was led by officers to the Prosecutor’s Office detention vehicle.

Family Response

Meanwhile, Arinal’s wife spoke out regarding her husband’s status as a suspect in the alleged corruption case and his detention by the Lampung Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Riana is convinced that her husband is innocent. She even claimed that not a single rupiah from the Participating Interest (PI) funds of PT Lampung Energi Berjaya (PT LEB) entered her husband’s personal pockets.

“We are here (at the Lampung High Prosecutor’s Office) with our children to provide support to father. My children and I believe that father is innocent, and not a single rupiah of PI money entered father’s personal pockets,” Riana told the media at the Lampung High Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday evening.

Riana stated that her husband’s condition is good. She encouraged her husband to stay strong in facing the legal process.

“Our message to father is to stay healthy, strong, and not to worry about us (the family),” she said.

She emphasised that her presence with the children and daughter-in-law at the Lampung High Prosecutor’s Office is a form of full support for her husband.

She also dismissed the notion that the family feels ashamed about the ongoing case.

“We are here precisely because we are not ashamed; father did not commit corruption, so we do not bow our heads. No matter how long it takes, I will continue to support and defend him,” she asserted.

She mentioned that the family is prepared to go through the trial stages and will leave the defence to the legal advisory team.

“I already told father not to be afraid; we will face the trial later,” she explained.

Awaiting Legal Proof

Riana asked the public and media to wait for legal proof and not to get caught up in unbalanced news framing.

According to her, the alleged state loss of Rp271 billion needs to be explained proportionately to avoid creating misconceptions among the public.

“Rest assured, it will be proven in the trial. To my media friends, please make the news, but it must be balanced. What is reported must be accountable,” she said.

Additionally, Riana urged law enforcement authorities to investigate the PT LEB corruption case thoroughly and transparently, including the company’s initial capital injection. She hopes that no party will be overlooked in the legal examination related to the case.

“If you really want clarity, investigate everything, including the initial capital injection of Rp10 billion. Do not cover anything up or be selective, because all citizens have equal rights before the law,” she said.

In this case, investigators are charging Arinal with multiple articles: Article 603 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended and supplemented by Law No. 20 of 2001 on Amendments to Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code. Subsidiarily, Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999.

Danang assured that the entire investigative team is working with integrity in accordance with applicable legal provisions in handling the alleged corruption case.

Not only that, the Lampung High Prosecutor’s Office is committed to resolving the case objectively for the sake of upholding the law and realising justice for all the people of Lampung.

“We uphold the values of justice and human rights, and open space for the wider community to participate in monitoring the handling of this alleged corruption case,” he said.