Tracking Down the 'Actors' Behind Palm Oil Export Data Manipulation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Law enforcement agencies are intensifying their focus on cases of suspected palm oil export data manipulation and under-invoicing practices. The practice is believed to potentially cause the country revenue losses in export earnings. Police are now hunting for those responsible for the case. The Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) raided PT MMS’s office in Pademangan, North Jakarta, and its warehouse in Pakuhaji, Tangerang Regency, on 29 May 2026. During the raid, investigators seized company documents, invoices, Export Goods Notification (PEB) forms, and several computers suspected of being used to manipulate export value data to appear lower than the actual figures. ‘We are still examining and investigating the documents seized during the raid to uncover alleged criminal activities,’ said Sub-Director 1 of Bareskrim’s Criminal Investigation Unit, Commissioner of Police Setyo K. Heriyatno, on Saturday, 30 May 2026. The practice is suspected to have been carried out to report lower export transaction values than the actual figures. The under-invoicing case has now entered the investigation stage following a series of inquiries, preliminary evidence collection, and case review. Sub-Directorate I of Bareskrim’s Criminal Investigation Unit is focusing on tracing those responsible for the suspected export manipulation. ‘We will investigate who is responsible for this case and ensure the legal enforcement process proceeds professionally,’ Setyo said. The surprise statement came from Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. Purbaya revealed he has data on 10 major crude palm oil (CPO) companies suspected of manipulating export prices through under-invoicing. He confirmed that investigations are being conducted on three shipments from each randomly selected company.