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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesian Ombudsman Forms Ethics Council to Investigate Chairman Amid Bribery Allegations

From Tempo · (3h ago) Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia has established an Ethics Council to investigate alleged ethical violations by the non-active Chairman, Hery Susanto.
  • Susanto is currently a suspect in a case involving the alleged trading of examination report findings (LHP) for money.
  • The Ethics Council comprises five members, including two Ombudsman members and three public figures/academics, to examine the case based on the Ombudsman's Code of Ethics.

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia has taken a significant step by forming an Ethics Council to probe allegations of ethical misconduct against its non-active Chairman, Hery Susanto. This move comes in the wake of Susanto being named a suspect in a criminal case concerning the alleged illicit trading of examination report findings (LHP) with a private company.

To follow up on the legal case currently being faced by Hery Susanto, the institution has officially formed an Ethics Council.

— Rahmadi Indra TektonaDeputy Chairman of the Ombudsman RI, explaining the reason for establishing the Ethics Council.

Wakil Ketua Ombudsman RI Rahmadi Indra Tektona stated that the formation of the Ethics Council is a direct response to the legal proceedings Hery Susanto is facing. The council's mandate is to investigate potential breaches of the Ombudsman's Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct, ensuring accountability within the institution. This internal investigation aims to uphold the integrity and public trust placed in the Ombudsman's office.

The Ethics Council is composed of five distinguished individuals: two members from the Ombudsman itself, and three external figures—Jimly Asshiddiqie, Bagir Manan, and Siti Zuhro—alongside Partono and Maneger Nasution. This diverse composition, including prominent figures in law and public administration, suggests a commitment to a thorough and impartial examination of the alleged violations.

The NMDPRA under my leadership will be firm in regulation, fair in conduct and fast in execution. We will protect standards, unlock investment, remove avoidable bottlenecks and make this Authority a model of professionalism and economic value creation.

— Rahmadi Indra TektonaDeputy Chairman of the Ombudsman RI, detailing the composition and mandate of the Ethics Council.

The case involves accusations that Hery Susanto received Rp1.5 billion from PT Toshida Indonesia, allegedly in exchange for favorable examination reports. Investigators are reportedly looking into dealings with as many as 17 companies suspected of similar arrangements. However, PT Toshida Indonesia's legal counsel has denied any such transactions or meetings with Ombudsman officials. The establishment of the Ethics Council signifies the Ombudsman's dedication to addressing these serious allegations transparently and in accordance with its ethical guidelines.

In the case revealed by the Attorney General's Office, Hery is suspected of receiving Rp1.5 billion from PT Toshida Indonesia. This alleged bribery is related to the issuance of an LHP aimed at correcting a decision by the Ministry of Forestry regarding the calculation of non-tax state revenue (PNBP) for PT Toshida.

— Attorney General's OfficeDescribing the core allegations in the criminal case against Hery Susanto.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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