TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) has named three directors from Pertamina's sub-holding and four other individuals as suspects in a corruption case involving the governance of crude oil and refinery products at PT Pertamina, its sub-holdings, and Contractors of Cooperation Contracts (KKKS) for the period of 2018-2023.

"Investigators have named seven individuals as suspects and have decided to detain them," said Abdul Qohar, the Director of Investigation at Kejagung, on Monday, February 24, 2025.

The suspects from Pertamina sub-holdings include Riva Siahaan, the President Director of Patra Niaga; Sani Dinar Saifuddin, the Director of Feedstock Optimization & Products at PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI); and Yoki Firnandi, the Director of PT Pertamina Internasional Shipping.

The four other suspects are: Agus Purwono, Vice President (VP) of Feedstock Management at PT KPI; Muhammad Keery Andrianto Riza, the beneficial owner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa; Dimas Werhaspati, Commissioner of PT Navigator Khatulistiwa and PT Jenggala Maritim; and Gading Ramadan Joede, Commissioner of PT Jenggala Maritim and PT Orbit Terminal Merak.

Qohar stated that several offices and residences of the suspects had been searched, including Pertamina's premises. Kejagung also conducted a search of the Directorate General of Oil and Gas (Ditjen Migas) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) related to the case on February 10, 2025.

The investigation stems from the discovery of alleged collusion between PT Pertamina through its sub-holdings and KKKS to bypass the bidding process for crude oil. According to Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 42 of 2018, domestic crude oil supply should prioritize local sources.

In practice, PT Pertamina should seek domestic crude oil supplies from contractors before considering importing crude oil. Conversely, KKKS is required to offer its crude oil production to PT Pertamina before it can be exported. If PT Pertamina rejects the offer, this rejection becomes the basis for obtaining export approval.

Kejagung uncovered that there was intentional avoidance of agreements during the bidding process. As a result, KKKS proceeded with exports, while PT Pertamina opted for imports. The export route was more profitable for KKKS, while importing oil to meet domestic demand incurred higher costs for PT Pertamina.

The suspects are charged under Article 2(1) or Article 3 juncto Article 18 of the Law on Eradicating Corruption, in addition to Article 55(1) of the Criminal Code.

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