Jakarta, MI - The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (Kejagung) has intensified its investigation surrounding corruption allegations linked to state-owned enterprise PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, as the agency recently named several high-ranking officials as suspects. This includes Riva Siahaan, the company's President Director, alongside Maya Kusmaya, the Director of Marketing, and Edward Corne ST, the VP of Trading Operations. According to reports from Monitor Indonesia, these individuals face accusations relating to the mismanagement of crude oil and fuel products within the enterprise during the period from 2018 to 2023.
The latest developments unfolded on February 26, 2025, when Kejagung designated two additional suspects within Pertamina, leading to various public outcries. The timing of these allegations is particularly notable, as they came just hours after Riva Siahaan received multiple awards for the company’s performance from the Ministry of Environment, sparking frustration among netizens who questioned how high salaries can coexist with such unethical conduct. One TikTok user commented, “A high salary does not guarantee one won’t engage in corruption.” Another user added, "We need to catch all Pertamina employees involved!"
Financial disclosures indicate Riva Siahaan's salary at approximately Rp1.8 billion (around $119,000) per month, raising eyebrows about the integrity of individuals within the corporate sphere. The comprehensive annual report from Pertamina Patra Niaga indicated significant compensation for executives, totaling around US$19 million for key management, translating to over Rp21.8 billion (about $1.36 million) per executive per year.
Such figures are alarming amid claims of large-scale mismanagement. The public discourse surrounding these allegations reveals sentiments of distrust toward management, with calls for accountability growing louder. The sheer scale of alleged corruption is staggering, amounting to losses estimated at hundreds of trillions of rupiah due to these mismanaged operations.
Meanwhile, the scandal at PT Jiwasraya also continues to elicit public interest. Recently, the agency has summoned Muhammad Karim, the director of PT GAP Capital, as part of the investigation for his role in the financial and investment management within Jiwasraya from 2008 to 2018. He was among several key figures interrogated to build evidence against Isa Rachmatarwata, the Director-General of Budget at the Finance Ministry, who has already been charged with causing significant financial losses to the state amounting to over Rp16.8 trillion (approximately $1.1 billion).
Harli Siregar, the Head of Legal Information at Kejagung, confirmed the significance of involving multiple witnesses to create stronger cases against the named suspects, asserting, “The commitment to eliminating corruption is unwavering, as illustrated by our investigative rigor against high-profile executives.” Reported by Kejagung, the detailed assessments have affirmed the existence of crimes tied to the management errors perpetrated by individuals between 2006 and 2018, confirming the systemic nature of these frauds.
The two major cases highlight the broader concerns about governance and financial integrity within Indonesia’s state enterprises. Not only do they underline issues related to internal controls and oversight, but they also bring to light the responsibilities held by those at the top. High salaries and executive positions are no longer viewed as triumphs but rather as potential paths to corruption, with citizens demanding accountability from their leaders.
Public reaction has been swift. Netizens continue to express their outrage at the alleged corruption, with statements like, “High salaries do not guarantee integrity,” surfacing on various social media platforms. This growing activism reflects the public's desire for transparency and ethical governance, as many citizens become increasingly wary of systemic corruption within such significant state institutions.
Moving forward, as investigations deepen and more details come to light, it will be interesting to see how these allegations affect the future structure and governance of companies such as Pertamina and Jiwasraya. Will the recent outcry for accountability lead to concrete changes, or will entrenched interests succeed in maintaining the status quo?
What remains clear is the need for thorough reform within Indonesia’s state-owned entities to prevent the fissures from deepening. Citizens are calling for transparency, legislative changes, and rigorous enforcement measures to curb the tide of corruption. The hope is to create not just more profitable companies but also companies where integrity prevails.