Indonesia named Mohammad Riza Chalid a suspect in second corruption related to oil procurement.
(April 10): Indonesia named commodities merchant Mohammad Riza Chalid as a suspect in a second corruption case related to crude oil and fuel procurement. This puts renewed scrutiny on practices in one of Southeast Asia’s largest energy markets.
Riza was named a suspect along with six others in a probe into dealings at Pertamina Energy Trading Ltd, from 2008 to 2015, for alleged tender manipulation, information leaks, and non-competitive pricing practices.
Petral, Pertamina Persero’s Singapore-based trading unit, has since been closed.
This case adds to Riza’s legal troubles, as he was previously named a suspect in a separate probe into oil trading. His son, Muhamad Kerry Adrianto, was sentenced to 15 years in a corruption case involving US$17 billion.
In this latest case, Riza, as the owner of undisclosed companies, is suspected of influencing procurement processes for oil, refined products, and shipping, causing losses to Pertamina. The total losses are still being calculated.
Riza has been on the government’s wanted list since last year, with an Interpol Red Notice issued in January. His whereabouts are unknown. Five suspects have been detained, while one is under house arrest for health reasons.
Witnesses, including officials from Pertamina and private sector players, have been questioned. Former energy minister Sudirman Said was also questioned.
Uploaded by Chng Shear Lane
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