Indonesia court jails former executives of Pertamina subsidiaries in major corruption case

An Indonesian court has sentenced nine people to prison in a major corruption case involving subsidiaries of state energy firm Pertamina, including two former chief executives, in a scandal prosecutors say caused $17 billion in state losses.

The case centers on the alleged незакон leasing of a fuel terminal and unlawful crude oil imports, among other offenses. It is one of the largest corruption prosecutions launched under President Prabowo Subianto, who has pledged to crack down on graft.

The Central Jakarta Court handed down the sentences, with verdicts read from Thursday afternoon into the early hours of Friday. The nine defendants received prison terms ranging from nine to 15 years, lower than the 14- to 18-year terms sought by prosecutors.

Yoki Firnandi, former chief executive of Pertamina International Shipping, and Riva Siahaan, former chief executive of Pertamina Patra Niaga, were each sentenced to nine years in prison. Muhamad Kerry Adrianto Riza, the beneficial owner of a fuel terminal leased by Pertamina, was jailed for 15 years — less than the 18 years prosecutors had requested.

Riza is the son of businessman Mohammad Riza Chalid, who has been named a suspect in the case and is currently at large, according to police.

All three men had denied the charges and pleaded not guilty during the trial, local media reported. Riza’s lawyer, Patra Zen, said his client would appeal the ruling.

Speaking outside the court, Firnandi described the verdict as a “farce” and said he would consult his legal team on filing an appeal. Siahaan’s lawyer, Luhut Pangaribuan, said he was saddened and disappointed by the decision.

Pertamina did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The company has previously said it respects the legal process and has cooperated with investigators.