On the 27th, an Indonesian judge sentenced the son of the “Gasoline Godfather” to 15 years in prison. The father is currently wanted by Interpol, while his son was convicted for his involvement in a corruption scheme that is estimated to have cost the government as much as $17 billion (about 66 billion ringgit).
Mohamad Kery Adriantho Riza is the most prominent defendant in this massive scandal involving Indonesia’s state oil company (Pertamina).
According to a statement from the Attorney General’s Office, Kery was found guilty of manipulating leasing agreements and colluding with several Pertamina executives. In court, the judge said: “The evidence shows that Mohamad Kery Adriantho Riza jointly committed corrupt acts. The crime is proven and valid.”
The court ultimately sentenced Kery to 15 years in prison, ordered him to pay a fine of approximately $59,500, as well as up to $173 million in compensation.
● “Gasoline Godfather” Reportedly Once Hid in Malaysia
Kery’s father, Mohamad Riza Chalid, is also wanted for his alleged involvement in the corruption investigations, but he has already fled Indonesia. In January this year, Interpol issued a red notice for his arrest, requesting cooperation from its 196 member countries worldwide.
The 66-year-old Riza Chalid has long dominated Indonesia’s energy and oil trade, and because he controls vast gasoline import and export interests, the media calls him the “Gasoline Godfather.”
According to a report last July citing Indonesia’s “Tempo” magazine, it is believed that Riza Chalid is currently hiding in Malaysia.
The Attorney General’s Office explained that this Pertamina subsidiary scandal involved multiple corruption methods, including purchasing low-quality imported fuel at high prices instead of using domestic crude oil, with illegal conduct causing astronomical losses to the nation.
On the 26th, the judge pronounced that the former CEO of the subsidiary involved—Riva—was sentenced to 9 years in prison. In addition, two other former high-ranking officials were sentenced to 9 and 10 years, respectively.
The criminal acts are alleged to have occurred between 2018 and 2023, and prosecutors had asked for sentences ranging from 14 to 18 years for the defendants.