Ex-Ombudsman Chief Faces Bribery Trial, Four Witnesses Testify

The trial of Hery Susanto, the former head of Indonesia's Ombudsman, continued with the testimony of four witnesses in the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Susanto faces charges of allegedly accepting bribes and gratuities amounting to Rp 4.85 billion during his tenure.

The prosecution contends that Susanto received payments and a house valued at Rp 2.2 billion from various individuals connected to mining companies. These alleged bribes were intended to influence his decisions regarding Ombudsman reports. Specifically, prosecutors claim Susanto was paid to ensure that the Ombudsman's findings on the state revenue payment obligations for forest area usage by PT Toshida Indonesia and PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri would be deemed maladministration. He is also accused of influencing the rejection of mining permit increase applications for PT Mitra Kumala Energi and PT Gold Talenta Nala Raya.

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Today we have summoned four witnesses.

Prosecutors detailed the alleged flow of funds, including Rp 675 million from Laode Sinarwan Oda, Rp 200 million from Tjia Peng Tjoan, Rp 1.2 billion and Rp 525 million from Agung Winarno, and Rp 50 million from Muhammad Rosal, often channeled through intermediaries like consultant Lukman Malanuang. Susanto is charged under the Anti-Corruption Law and the Criminal Code for his alleged actions. The court heard from witnesses including consultant Lukman Malanuang and private sector employees Muhammad Hatta Fitra Ramadhan, Alqindy Akbar, and Kusuma Al Rasyed Agdar Maulana Pamungkas, all of whom stated they knew the defendant but had no professional or familial ties to him.

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The gift or promise was given to influence whether or not to act in his position.