Latest news with #Riza
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia will not protect Riza Chalid from corruption probes
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not protect Indonesian oil tycoon Riza Chalid from corruption probes or prosecution, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said. He also assured the Dewan Rakyat that the issue involving Riza would not affect ongoing talks between Malaysia and Indonesia regarding their dispute in the Sulawesi Sea. "The matter involving Riza is a legal issue, and we will not provide any protection to him. Let the legal process take its course. This is the prime minister's commitment. "The issue that purportedly impacted negotiations at the Sulawesi Sea does not arise," he said. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is currently in Jakarta for an official trip, said yesterday that Malaysia would not interfere in legal matters involving Riza, who is implicated in a corruption case concerning fuel imports. Acting Indonesian Immigration director-general Yuldi Yusman reportedly said on July 16 that Riza is believed to have been in Malaysia since Feb 6, having departed from Soekarno-Hatta airport. Riza has been named as a suspect in a corruption case linked to state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina. Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question from Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Kamal (PN-Machang), who asked if the issue involving Riza would affect ongoing talks between Malaysia and Indonesia in the Sulawesi Sea. Earlier, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) had also inquired about the outcome of talks between Malaysia and Indonesia over the dispute. Mohamad said numerous issues were discussed, including border trade between Sabah and Indonesia, maritime affairs between the two countries, and access to Community Learning Centres (CLCs) in Sabah, which require support. "The issue of the Sulawesi Sea was raised in general. Both leaders agreed that the two countries would resolve the matter through existing mechanisms in search of the best solution, based on international law, to safeguard the sovereignty and interests of both nations," he said.
The Star
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia won't shield Indonesian tycoon Riza Chalid from legal action, says Deputy Foreign Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not protect Indonesian oil tycoon Riza Chalid from corruption probes or prosecution and will allow the law to take its course, says Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin ( pic ). Mohamad also mentioned that the issue involving Riza will not affect ongoing talks between Malaysia and Indonesia regarding the long-standing Ambalat dispute in the Sulawesi Sea. "The Prime Minister has said the issue involving Riza is a legal matter, and we will not give protection for him. "Let the law take its course. This is the PM's commitment. "The issue that purportedly impacted negotiations at the Sulawesi Sea does not arise," Mohamad said during Question Time in Parliament on Wednesday (July 30). Mohamad emphasised that Malaysia is stern about the legal process and that no one is above the law. "No protection will be given to those who are wrong," Mohamad added. Anwar, who is presently in Jakarta, Indonesia for an official trip, stated that Malaysia will not interfere in legal matters involving Riza, who is implicated in a corruption case involving fuel imports. Acting Indonesian Immigration director-general Yuldi Yusman reportedly said on July 16 that Riza is believed to be in Malaysia since February 6, having departed from Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Riza has been named as a suspect in a corruption case linked to state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina. Mohamad was responding to a supplementary question by Wan Ahmad Fayshal Wan Kamal (PN-Machang) who asked if the Riza issue will affect ongoing talks between Malaysia and Indonesia at the Sulawesi Sea. Earlier, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) inquired about the outcome of talks between Malaysia and Indonesia over the Ambalat dispute. According to Mohamad, numerous issues were discussed, including border trade between Sabah and Indonesia, and maritime affairs between the two countries. "The Sulawesi sea was generally discussed, and both leaders agreed to solve it according to present mechanisms in order to find the best solution based on international laws to preserve the interests of both countries," Mohamad said. Mohamad also stated that in the Malaysia-Indonesia annual consultative meeting, several agencies were involved, including Sabah Lands and Surveys Department, the Sabah Attorney General's Chambers, and the Sabah Marine Department, among others. "The Federal government is always serious in obtaining the views of the state government to ensure that the interests of Sabah and Sarawak are preserved during talks," he added. Anwar and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto issued a joint statement recently on a proposed joint development in the Sulawesi Sea. Both leaders expressed strong commitment to accelerating strategic cooperation in various fields, including a joint development in Ambalat in a peaceful and mutually beneficial manner. In a statement by Wisma Putra after the joint statement, it was explained that the remarks by Anwar and Prabowo represent initial efforts by both leaders to seek the best solution for both countries. The Ambalat block, measuring 15,000 square kilometres in the centre of the territories dispute outside Sabah's coastal area, is said to have one of the largest sources of crude oil in the world. In 2004, PETRONAS' concession to Shell to explore oil and gas within the Ambalat area drew Indonesia's protest, which had given the concession to Italian company ENI. It was reported that in 2009, Indonesia protested Malaysia's military presence in the area, and in the following year, Indonesian navy ships purportedly came close to opening fire on a Malaysian navy patrol ship for ignoring orders to leave.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia will not interfere in legal process over Indonesian oil tycoon, says Anwar
IPOH: The Malaysian government will not interfere in any legal matters related to Indonesian oil tycoon Riza Chalid, who is said to be involved in a corruption case involving fuel imports. Indonesian weekly Tempo reported that Anwar had told several editors-in-chief in Jakarta on July 29 and informed them that he had met with Riza. 'Let the legal process in Indonesia take its course,' Anwar was quoted as saying. Anwar also did not comment on the whereabouts of Riza, who is believed to be in Malaysia. Acting Indonesian Immigration director-general Yuldi Yusman had on July 16 reportedly said that Riza is believed to be in Malaysia since Feb 6, having departed from Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The Jakarta Post reported that Riza was named as a suspect in a corruption case linked to state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina.
The Star
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Indonesian authorities track Pertamina suspect Riza Chalid to Malaysia
JAKARTA: The Immigration and Corrections Ministry has revealed that the last-known whereabouts of Muhammad Riza Chalid, a key suspect in the high-profile corruption case involving state-owned oil and gas giant Pertamina, was traced to Malaysia. The ministry said last week that Riza departed Indonesia on Feb 6 for Malaysia and had not returned since. 'Based on the information we have, he is still in Malaysia to date,' deputy immigration minister Silmy Karim told reporters on Monday (July 21), as quoted by Antara. Acting immigration director general Yuldi Yusman previously said his office was coordinating with its Malaysian office and had 'communicated with the Malaysian Immigration Department and the Royal Malaysia Police to locate Riza'. He added that Riza had entered Singapore in August 2024 on a visitor visa. Also last week, in response to media reports speculating about his whereabouts shortly after he was declared a suspect in the Pertamina case, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore announced that Riza was not in the island state and 'had not entered Singapore for quite some time'. Separately, Attorney General's Office (AGO) spokesperson Anang Supriatna said investigators had been aware that immigration authorities had tracked Riza to Malaysia. 'We are currently looking into it to verify the details while continuing [our] efforts to bring Riza in for questioning," Anang told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. He added that the AGO would send a summons to Riza's registered address in Indonesia this week. If Riza failed to respond to multiple summonses, however, investigators might consider taking firmer action to compel him to appear for questioning, Anang said, without providing details on potential measures. Legal experts have meanwhile suggested that Indonesia could declare Riza a fugitive and submit a Red Notice request to Interpol to kick off an international manhunt, as well as initiate extradition proceedings. The Extradition Law contains provisions on the involuntary return of fugitives involved in high criminal offences in Indonesia, such as corruption. The law is ratified in bilateral treaties with several countries, particularly neighbouring nations with high cross-border mobility, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Australia. Dubbed the 'godfather of oil' for his influence in the industry, the AGO named Riza as a suspect on July 11 for allegedly conspiring with executives of Pertamina and its subsidiaries to manipulate a leasing agreement for a fuel terminal in Merak, Banten, even though the oil and gas giant had no need of additional storage. As the beneficial owner of private fuel terminal and logistics companies PT Tangki Merak and PT Orbit Terminal Merak, Riza is also accused of profiting from the inflated terminal leasing agreement with Pertamina. The 17 other suspects, which include current and former senior executives of Pertamina and its subsidiaries as well as private companies such as Riza's son Kerry Adrianto, are already in the AGO's custody in connection with the case, which has incurred an estimated Rp 286 trillion (US$17 billion) in state losses. The AGO's initial investigation into the Pertamina corruption case centered on fraudulent schemes related to fuel import deals from 2018 to 2023 and the procurement of lower-octane subsidised gasoline for resale as a more expensive brand. The scandal has caused public trust in the state oil and gas holding company to plummet as fears rose among consumers nationwide that they might have been tricked into paying premium prices for low-quality fuel. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
New Straits Times
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.
