Former Ombudsman Yeka Hendra Detained in CPO Investigation Obstruction Case
JAKARTA - The Attorney General's Office (Kejagung) has officially detained the former member of the Indonesian Ombudsman for the period 2021-2026, Yeka Hendra Fatika (YHF), regarding the alleged obstruction of the investigation of the 2022 crude palm oil (CPO) export facility corruption case.
The detention was carried out after investigators found evidence of Yeka's involvement in efforts to obstruct the investigation, prosecution, and examination at the trial of the CPO export corruption case which dragged a number of large corporations.
Director of Investigation of the Attorney General's Office for Special Crimes (Jampidsus), Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, explained that the case began when the Indonesian Ombudsman conducted an investigation related to the scarcity of cooking oil that occurred in early 2022.
At that time, Yeka Hendra as a member of the Ombudsman was said to have initiated a national investigation by ordering the Keasistenan Utama III team to conduct a survey in 34 provinces as well as tracking information through the media.
The results of the investigation were then included in the Ombudsman's report dated March 24, 2022 regarding alleged maladministration in the provision and stabilization of cooking oil prices by the Ministry of Trade.
However, according to the Attorney General's Office, Yeka allegedly changed the substance of the report. The material, which was originally focused on the scarcity of cooking oil, was said to have been directed to a recommendation to revoke the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) policy related to CPO exports.
"Brother YHF has changed the material of the report of the information of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, which was originally related to the scarcity of cooking oil, into the revocation of the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) for export interests, which was drafted against the law," said Syarief, quoted by Antara, at the Jampidsus Building of the Attorney General's Office, Jakarta, Monday, May 25.
In fact, the DMO policy is one of the aspects that are questioned in the case of alleged corruption in the provision of export facilities for CPO and its derivatives in 2022.
The Attorney General's Office also revealed the Ombudsman's Inspection Report (LHP) Number 418 dated August 15, 2022 which should only be given to the Ministry of Trade as the reported party, it is suspected that Yeka handed it over to Marcella Santoso and the AALF Legal team.
The LHP was then used as the basis for a state business regulation (TUN) lawsuit and a civil lawsuit against the Ministry of Trade.
According to investigators, the document was also considered in the decision to dismiss or release from legal proceedings against three large corporations, namely PT Wilmar Group, PT Musim Mas Group, and PT Permata Hijau Group at the district court level.
In addition, the Attorney General's Office suspects that Yeka received money through the accounts of other parties and projects from companies affiliated with the Wilmar Group in exchange for arranging the report.
For his alleged actions, Yeka was charged with Article 21 of the Corruption Criminal Act in conjunction with Article 20 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code regarding the alleged obstruction of the investigation and legal process of corruption cases.
"The alleged criminal act of corruption is deliberately preventing, obstructing, or thwarting the investigation, prosecution, and examination in court proceedings against the defendant in the criminal act of corruption in the provision of CPO and its derivatives export facilities in 2022," said Syarief.
After being named a suspect, Yeka was immediately detained for the next 20 days at the Salemba Detention House of the Attorney General's Office.