Younger Brother Testifies in Corruption Trial, Former Ombudsman Chief Objects

The younger brother of former Indonesian Ombudsman Chairman Hery Susanto, Edi Sugandi, was presented by prosecutors as a witness in a corruption trial. Edi agreed to be a witness, but Hery objected.

‘What is your relationship?’ asked presiding judge Dwi Elyarahma Sulistyowati at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (6/8/2026).

‘He is my older brother,’ Edi replied.

‘Who is your older brother?’ the judge asked.

‘Mr Hery,’ Edi answered.

Hery and his legal team objected to Edi’s presence as a witness in the trial. However, Edi remained willing to testify, so his statement was taken without being sworn in.

‘We note that the legal counsel objects. Witness, you also have the right to withdraw as a witness in accordance with the new Article 218 of the Criminal Procedure Code. You may also withdraw as a witness. However, if you continue to testify, perhaps there are matters that could benefit the Defendant or yourself, or clarify this case, that is your right. So I ask you again, are you still willing to be a witness?’ the judge asked.

‘I am willing, Your Honour,’ Edi replied.

‘Very well. Public Prosecutor, because the advocate objects, we can hear his testimony but without being sworn in. Yes? That is the wording of the law, the Criminal Procedure Code. Because there is an objection, unless there was no objection, we would swear him in,’ the judge stated.

Hery Susanto was previously charged with accepting bribes in the form of money and a house totalling Rp 4.8 billion between 2013 and 2025. Prosecutors stated the bribes were given so that Hery would declare maladministration in the calculation of payment obligations for nickel companies set by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

‘Even though it was known or should have been suspected that the gifts or promises were given to influence him to act or not act in his capacity, namely, to influence Defendant Hery Susanto in his capacity as a member of the Indonesian Ombudsman to state in the Ombudsman’s report,’ the prosecutor said while reading the indictment at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday (25/6).

Prosecutors detailed the sources of the Rp 4.8 billion in bribes allegedly received by Hery. The details are as follows: 1. From Laode Sinarwan Oda, Director of PT Toshida Indonesia, amounting to Rp 675 million through Lukman Malanuang, given via Edi Sugandi. 2. From Tjia Peng Tjoan, Director of PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri, amounting to Rp 200 million through Lukman Malanuang. 3. From Agung Winarno, a house located in Pulo Gebang Permai, East Jakarta, worth Rp 2.2 billion. 4. From Agung Winarno through Edi Sugandi, amounting to Rp 1.2 billion. 5. From Agung Winarno, amounting to Rp 525 million. 6. From Muhammad Rosal, representing PT Mitra Kumala Energi, through Agung Winarno, amounting to Rp 50 million. In total, the bribes in the form of money and a house allegedly received by Hery reached Rp 4,850,000,000 (4.8 billion).