Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office has arrested the country’s newly appointed chief ombudsman, Hery Susanto, just six days after he assumed the post, over allegations of accepting a bribe from a local nickel company.
According to investigators, Susanto was detained on Thursday, with the arrest confirmed by Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, director of investigations at the Attorney General’s Office. Susanto had only been sworn in on April 10 by President Prabowo Subianto.
Authorities allege that Susanto received 1.5 billion rupiah (approximately US$87,309) from a nickel company during his tenure as a board member of Indonesia’s ombudsman office between 2021 and 2026. The case has raised serious concerns over integrity within key oversight institutions.
Nahdi said the company, identified only by the initials TSHI, was facing issues related to the calculation of a fine imposed by the Forestry Ministry. It is alleged that arrangements were made between Susanto and the company to alter the amount payable.
“He ordered the company to pay based on his own calculations,” Nahdi told reporters, suggesting that the intervention deviated from official recommendations and procedures.
Susanto is believed to have violated Indonesia’s bribery provisions under the criminal code. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison.
The incident has triggered public scrutiny over governance and accountability, particularly given the short time between his appointment and arrest.
