Twelve Prominent Figures Submit Amicus Curiae Brief in Crude Oil Corruption Case

Jakarta (ANTARA) – A total of 12 prominent figures have submitted an amicus curiae, or ‘friend of the court’ brief, in the case concerning alleged corruption in the management of crude oil and refinery products during the period 2018–2023. The amicus curiae was symbolically presented to the panel of judges by a representative, Hotasi Nababan, at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday. Arie Gumilar, a representative of the group submitting the amicus curiae, stated that the brief was provided as input and a perspective for the panel of judges to help them reach a fair verdict in the case. “We are not trying to pressure the judges. We are simply providing input and a perspective from our point of view as professionals,” said Arie. The 12 figures who submitted the amicus curiae include Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Hikmahanto Juwana, Marzuki Darusman, Gandjar Laksmana Bonaprapta, Susilo Siswoutomo, Koeshartanto Koeswiranto, Hotasi Nababan, Adriansyah Kori, Arsil, Arie Gumilar, Margono Hadianto, and Alamsyah Saragih. He expressed hope that the panel of judges would recognise that corruption is an unlawful act that must be proven to have involved malicious intent, or mens rea. Therefore, he said, the presence or absence of intent to enrich oneself or others in the case must be examined clearly and proven. Arie also reminded that the business judgment rule (BJR) is important to consider in business decision-making to avoid stifling innovation and professional talent. He urged President Prabowo Subianto to pay attention to the fact that failing to consider the BJR in business decisions could disrupt the Astacita goals, particularly the second point. This point focuses on strengthening the national defence and security system and promoting national independence through self-sufficiency in food, energy, water, the creative economy, the green economy, and the blue economy. “This could disrupt Astacita because officials appointed to and serving in state-owned enterprises will be afraid to make decisions, hesitant to take action, which could ultimately have a negative impact,” he said. The amicus curiae was submitted in connection with the case, specifically to the six defendants, including Riva Siahaan, Director of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga in 2023; Yoki Firnandi, Director of PT Pertamina International Shipping in 2022–2024; and Sani Dinar Saifudin, Director of Feedstock and Product Optimization at PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) during the period 2022–2025. In addition, the defendants include Maya Kusuma, Director of Marketing and Trading at PT Pertamina Patra Niaga in 2023; Edward Corne, Vice President of Trading Products at Pertamina Patra Niaga, for the period 2023–2025; and Agus Purwono, Vice President of Feedstock Management at PT KPI for the period 2023–2024. The state’s losses include financial losses of US$2.73 billion and Rp25.44 trillion; economic losses of Rp171.99 trillion; and illegal profits of US$2.62 billion. Specifically, the state’s financial losses consist of US$5.74 billion in the procurement and import of refinery products or fuel, and Rp2.54 trillion in the sale of non-subsidised diesel during the period 2021-2023. Meanwhile, the state’s economic losses are due to the high cost of fuel procurement, which has an impact on the economic burden caused by these prices. The illegal profits were obtained from the difference between the price of imported fuel exceeding the quota and the price of crude oil and fuel purchased domestically. For their actions, the defendants are charged with violating Article 2 paragraph (1) or Article 3 in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) sub-clause 1 of the Criminal Code. Copyright © ANTARA 2026 It is strictly prohibited to take content, perform crawling or automatic indexing for AI on this website without written permission from the ANTARA News Agency.