TELEGRAF – The Attorney General’s Office has once again demonstrated its commitment to justice by uncovering a massive corruption scandal in the management of crude oil and refinery products by Pertamina Patra Niaga from 2018 to 2023, Jakarta (9/3/25).
The staggering financial loss to the state, amounting to IDR 193.7 trillion, underscores the urgency of dismantling the oil mafia in Indonesia.
The corruption scheme is intricate, systematic, and involves multiple stakeholders. From crude oil exports and imports via brokers to the manipulation of fuel subsidies and compensation, the operation is alleged to implicate not only officials within Pertamina Patra Niaga but also public officials, bureaucratic elites, and politicians. Experts argue that these corrupt practices have inflated fuel prices, ultimately burdening the national budget.
As the government commits to legal reforms and anti-corruption efforts, the establishment of a Joint Investigation Team for Corruption Crimes (TGP TPK) has become a focal point of discussion. President Prabowo Subianto is expected to issue a Presidential Decree (Keppres) to ensure a transparent and accountable investigation into this case.
The proposed TGP TPK would bring together key institutions—such as the military (TNI), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the National Police, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), and civil society—under the coordination of the Attorney General.
Given the Attorney General’s Office’s proactive role in exposing corruption within Pertamina, this team would further strengthen investigative efforts.
Referring to Presidential Regulation No. 19 of 2000, issued during President Abdurrahman Wahid’s administration, the TGP TPK would have extensive authority, including requesting bank account information, freezing assets, seizing documents, and recommending the dismissal of implicated officials.
Juliaman Saragih, Chairman and Founder of the Nation and Character Building Institute (NCBI), emphasized the critical need for immediate action.
“This case is a test of our nation’s commitment to eradicating corruption. The scale of financial loss is unprecedented, and it is imperative that all relevant institutions collaborate transparently to bring those responsible to justice,” he stated.
Saragih further stressed that systemic corruption in the oil sector not only weakens economic stability but also erodes public trust in government institutions.
The public awaits decisive government action. The oil mafia not only drains state finances but also imposes high energy costs on citizens, affecting their livelihoods.
Now, the responsibility lies with President Prabowo—will his political resolve be strong enough to dismantle this entrenched corruption network?
