Wealth of Yeka, Former Ombudsman Commissioner and Suspect, Revealed

Indonesia's Attorney General's Office has named Yeka Hendra Fatika, a former Commissioner of the Ombudsman, as a suspect in an alleged obstruction of justice related to a corruption investigation into palm oil exports.

Prosecutors allege that Fatika received money from Marcella Santoso, a lawyer for Wilmar Group, to issue an Ombudsman report. This report, dated August 15, 2022, concerned alleged maladministration by the Ministry of Trade in managing the supply and price stabilization of cooking oil. The ministry was accused of negligence, contributing to price hikes and scarcity of cooking oil since August 2021.

The Ombudsman's findings were subsequently used by Santoso as a basis for a civil lawsuit against the Ministry of Trade. Wilmar Group sued the ministry, seeking to have the Ombudsman's recommendations declared legally binding and claiming losses of approximately $947 billion Rupiah. While the court acknowledged maladministration, it rejected the claim for damages.

This court decision, along with the Ombudsman's recommendations, was used to acquit three corporations in a separate corruption case. However, the Supreme Court later overturned the cassation ruling after allegations of bribery involving judges surfaced. Fatika, who served as an Ombudsman commissioner from 2021 to 2026, declared assets totaling approximately $2.5 billion Rupiah in his latest report to the Corruption Eradication Commission.

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After a series of investigations and several pieces of evidence, the investigative team has named Mr. YHF, as a member of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2021-2026 period, as a suspect in the investigation.