The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a seizure operation at the Pertamina oil terminal in Tanjung Gerem, Cilegon, Banten, where they confiscated 10 containers believed to contain documents related to corrupt practices in crude oil management. The raid took place on a Friday, February 28, 2025, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption within PT Pertamina.
Harli Siregar, the Head of Public Relations at the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung), confirmed the seizure of the containers, along with three boxes of documents, during the search at the Pertamina terminal. In addition to the documents, electronic evidence was also confiscated by investigators, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
The nature of the documents found in the containers remains undisclosed, leaving many questions unanswered, including whether they contain contracts related to the alleged corruption scheme that reportedly caused losses of Rp 193.7 trillion to the state. Harli emphasized that the contents of the seized documents are currently under scrutiny, hinting at the intricate web of corruption that investigators are attempting to unravel.
This recent development follows the announcement of two new suspects in the case involving the mismanagement of crude oil at PT Pertamina between 2018 and 2023. The suspects, Maya Kusmaya, the Director of Marketing and Trading at PT Pertamina Niaga, and Edward Corne, the VP of Trading Operations at PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, were identified after substantial evidence linking them to corrupt activities was uncovered by investigators.
Abdul Qohar, the Director of Investigation at the Attorney General’s Office, explained that the decision to name Maya and Edward as suspects was based on the accumulation of compelling evidence pointing to their involvement in the corrupt practices. This revelation emerged during a press conference on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, shedding light on the collaborative nature of the alleged criminal activities.
Prior to being formally charged, both Maya and Edward were subjected to coercive measures by investigators due to their non-compliance with summons for questioning as witnesses in the corruption case. Their absence during the interrogation process prompted the authorities to take decisive action in pursuit of justice and accountability.
The intricate web of corruption surrounding the mismanagement of crude oil at PT Pertamina continues to unfold, revealing the deep-rooted nature of the illicit activities that have plagued the state-owned company. As investigators delve deeper into the seized documents and electronic evidence, the case against the suspects gains momentum, underscoring the importance of transparency and integrity in the oil industry.
