Police Uncover Three Modus Operandi in Power Plant Coal Corruption

Indonesia's National Police have uncovered three alleged methods of corruption and money laundering related to the procurement of coal for steam power plants (PLTU) between 2018 and 2026. The investigation targets alleged irregularities in the procurement process involving PT OBP and PT BRA.

Brigadier General Robertus Yohanes De Deo, Director of Investigation at the National Police's Directorate for Corruption Eradication (Kortastipidkor), detailed the three suspected modus operandi. These include the alleged manipulation of documents concerning the quality of coal supplied, the manipulation of documents related to the quantity of coal delivered to the PLTU, and discrepancies in payments or contract values that do not align with the actual conditions.

"We suspect these methods have also contributed to disruptions in coal supply, leading to blackouts in several regions of Indonesia, such as parts of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Central Java, East Java, and the Greater Jakarta area," stated Robertus during a press conference at the National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Monday, July 6, 2026. The Kortastipidkor estimates that the financial losses to the state due to these alleged criminal acts amount to approximately Rp 5 trillion. However, this figure is preliminary as the Kortastipidkor is coordinating with the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) for an official investigative audit.

The investigators elevated the case to the investigation stage on July 4, 2026, issuing a police report and an investigation order as the basis for this progression. The case is being prosecuted under various articles of Indonesian law concerning the eradication of corruption and the prevention and eradication of money laundering offenses. As of now, no suspects have been named in the case.

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We suspect these methods have also contributed to disruptions in coal supply, leading to blackouts in several regions of Indonesia, such as parts of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Central Java, East Java, and the Greater Jakarta area.