A Swift Fall from Grace: Chairman of Indonesia’s Ombudsman Arrested in Nickel Graft Just 6 Days After Inauguration
Key Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — In a shocking blow to Indonesia's primary public service watchdog, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has detained the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Hery Susanto. The top official was named a suspect on Thursday, April 16, 2026, in connection with a high-profile corruption case involving nickel mining management in Southeast Sulawesi between 2013 and 2025.
The arrest took place at Susanto's residence on Wednesday night following a series of raids across Jakarta. By Thursday morning, the man tasked with overseeing government accountability was seen being led into a transport vehicle at the AGO headquarters, wearing the trademark pink detainee vest of the Special Crimes division.
The arrest of a sitting Ombudsman Chairman—just six days after his inauguration by President Prabowo—sends shockwaves through the Indonesian political and investment landscape. As the nation pushes for digital sovereignty and cleaner mining governance to attract global EV battery manufacturers, a corruption scandal at the heart of its top oversight body threatens to undermine trust in the regulatory environment. This case highlights the Special Crimes division's aggressive stance against high-level graft, even within entities designed to fight it.
The $94,000 Bribe and Mining Intervention
According to Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, Director of Investigation at AGO's Special Crimes division, the case centers on an illegal "fixer" scheme involving PT TSHI, a mining company facing disputes over Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) payments to the Ministry of Forestry. Susanto is alleged to have used his authority at the Ombudsman to intervene and "correct" the Ministry's policies in favor of the firm.
"PT TSHI sought a way out and worked with [Susanto] to arrange for the Ministry of Forestry's policies to be corrected by the Ombudsman," Syarief explained during a press conference. The directive reportedly allowed PT TSHI to calculate its own tax liabilities, bypassing official ministry assessments. Investigators have detected bribe payments totaling approximately Rp 1.5 billion ($94,000) from the mining company's director to Susanto.
A Swift Fall from Grace
The timing of the detention is particularly damaging. Susanto took his oath of office as Chairman before President Prabowo at the State Palace on Friday, April 10, 2026. While he previously served as a commissioner for the 2021–2026 period, the specific bribery incidents identified by investigators reportedly took place as recently as 2025.
Susanto now faces multiple charges under the Law on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption, including articles related to bribery and abuse of power. Under the National Criminal Code (KUHP Nasional), these charges could result in severe prison sentences.
The Attorney General’s Office has ordered Susanto’s detention for an initial period of 20 days at the Salemba Detention Center, South Jakarta branch. As the investigators continue their sweep, the Ombudsman is left in a leadership vacuum, and the administration faces growing questions regarding the vetting process for top state officials.