16-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Indonesian oil tycoon sought in graft probe reportedly in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Indonesian authorities believe oil tycoon Riza Chalid, a suspect in a major fuel import corruption case, is currently in Malaysia, as efforts intensify to track down his whereabouts.
Accoring to a Tempo magazine's report, Indonesia's immigration directorate general, under the Law and Human Rights Ministry, said it is working closely with its Malaysian counterparts to confirm Riza's location.
Acting immigration director-general Yuldi Yusman confirmed that Riza had left Indonesia and had yet to return.
"His whereabouts are suspected to be in Malaysia at the moment," he was quoted as saying.
According to immigration records, Riza has been in Malaysia since Feb 6, following his departure from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Riza was recently named as a suspect in a corruption investigation involving fuel imports by subsidiaries of Pertamina, Indonesia's state-owned oil and gas company. The scandal has reportedly caused losses amounting to trillions of rupiah.
Authorities said there was sufficient evidence to implicate the businessman, with the probe so far leading to the arrest of seven individuals, among them Riza's son, Kerry Adrianto.
Earlier, Abdul Qohar, Director of Investigation at the Indonesian Attorney-General's Office, had suggested that Riza might be in Singapore. However, Yuldi confirmed on Monday that Riza is no longer believed to be there.
Riza remains on Indonesia's wanted list as authorities pursue cross-border cooperation to bring him to justice.
