Indonesia imprisons two former officials and the former head of Pertamina in a major corruption case

A court in Indonesia found guilty a former chief executive, two ex-officials and a subsidiary of the state energy company Pertamina on Thursday of a major case of corruption involving its subsidiaries. Prosecutors claim that this corruption caused state losses of $17 billion.

The case, involving alleged illegal leasing and importing of crude oil among other offenses, is the largest launched by the administration of President Prabowo, who has pledged to eradicate corruption.

Nine defendants are involved, and six others have yet to be sentenced.

Riva Siahaan, the former Pertamina Patra Niaga Chief Executive, was sentenced in a livestreamed decision to nine years' imprisonment. The two other former officials were given prison terms of nine and ten years, respectively.

The alleged crimes took place between 2018-2023, and the prosecution had demanded prison sentences of 14-18 years for those accused. Six others are also on trial, including Yoki Firnandi a former Chief Executive of Pertamina International Shipping and Muhamad Keri Adrianto Riza a "beneficial owner" of a Pertamina-leased fuel terminal. According to local media, both had pleaded 'not guilty.

Siahaan’s lawyer, Luhut Pangaribuan, said that he was "sad" and "disappointed" with the ruling on Thursday against his client. Siahaan had previously rejected the charges of graft.

(source: Reuters)