(Jakarta/Singapore, 20th) Indonesian authorities have contacted several oil trading companies headquartered in Singapore, requesting their cooperation in investigating a corruption case involving Indonesia's state-owned oil company, Pertamina.
People who received or saw the letter disclosed to Bloomberg that these oil traders received the letters earlier this month, asking them to assist the Indonesian Attorney General's Office by answering questions about the company's overall governance and past transactions.
Indonesian authorities had earlier sent letters inviting Singaporean oil traders to come to Jakarta to assist in the investigation. However, insiders say that the latest letter states that interviews will take place in Singapore at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. Nevertheless, the letter does not provide specific dates for the interviews. Currently, there are no indications that the traders who received the letters are accused of any misconduct.
The Jakarta Attorney General's Office confirmed that it has summoned several Singaporean companies, but no interviews have been conducted yet. Spokesman Hari said over the phone: “Through our embassy commissioners and investigators, we are trying to reconnect with several Singaporean oil trading companies to facilitate the investigation of Pertamina. We have invited them to Jakarta again.”
He said: “One option being considered is to engage with them directly in Singapore, but for now, that is just one option.”
The Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau responded to Bloomberg saying it could not comment on whether any individuals or entities are involved in the Indonesian corruption investigation. Pertamina’s spokesperson stated that the parent company is not involved in the investigation and declined to comment further.
In February this year, the Indonesian Attorney General's Office arrested four senior managers from a Pertamina subsidiary and three private business executives involved in a corruption case worth 193.7 trillion rupiahs (approximately 16 billion Singapore dollars).
The seven arrested suspects include Pertamina Patra Niaga CEO Riva, Pertamina International Shipping CEO Jochi, Kilang Pertamina International director Sani, and vice president Agus, as well as three executives from a crude oil supply company. They are accused of violating regulations by importing overpriced crude and refined oil from abroad, leading to national losses.
The Indonesian authorities' investigation continues to expand, with several former Pertamina executives, including the former CEO Nicke, being summoned for questioning.
On the other hand, on Monday (May 19), Pertamina issued five tenders to purchase nearly 3 million barrels of gasoline monthly for delivery from July to December, with two of the tenders excluding Singapore as a supply source.
On May 8, Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif stated that in the second half of this year, they would reduce oil product purchases from Singapore while increasing imports from the Middle East and the United States as one of the strategies in U.S. tariff negotiations and also to achieve fuel import diversification. Indonesia currently imports 54% of its fuel from Singapore.
People who received or saw the letter disclosed to Bloomberg that these oil traders received the letters earlier this month, asking them to assist the Indonesian Attorney General's Office by answering questions about the company's overall governance and past transactions.
Indonesian authorities had earlier sent letters inviting Singaporean oil traders to come to Jakarta to assist in the investigation. However, insiders say that the latest letter states that interviews will take place in Singapore at the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. Nevertheless, the letter does not provide specific dates for the interviews. Currently, there are no indications that the traders who received the letters are accused of any misconduct.
The Jakarta Attorney General's Office confirmed that it has summoned several Singaporean companies, but no interviews have been conducted yet. Spokesman Hari said over the phone: “Through our embassy commissioners and investigators, we are trying to reconnect with several Singaporean oil trading companies to facilitate the investigation of Pertamina. We have invited them to Jakarta again.”
He said: “One option being considered is to engage with them directly in Singapore, but for now, that is just one option.”
The Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau responded to Bloomberg saying it could not comment on whether any individuals or entities are involved in the Indonesian corruption investigation. Pertamina’s spokesperson stated that the parent company is not involved in the investigation and declined to comment further.
In February this year, the Indonesian Attorney General's Office arrested four senior managers from a Pertamina subsidiary and three private business executives involved in a corruption case worth 193.7 trillion rupiahs (approximately 16 billion Singapore dollars).
The seven arrested suspects include Pertamina Patra Niaga CEO Riva, Pertamina International Shipping CEO Jochi, Kilang Pertamina International director Sani, and vice president Agus, as well as three executives from a crude oil supply company. They are accused of violating regulations by importing overpriced crude and refined oil from abroad, leading to national losses.
The Indonesian authorities' investigation continues to expand, with several former Pertamina executives, including the former CEO Nicke, being summoned for questioning.
On the other hand, on Monday (May 19), Pertamina issued five tenders to purchase nearly 3 million barrels of gasoline monthly for delivery from July to December, with two of the tenders excluding Singapore as a supply source.
On May 8, Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif stated that in the second half of this year, they would reduce oil product purchases from Singapore while increasing imports from the Middle East and the United States as one of the strategies in U.S. tariff negotiations and also to achieve fuel import diversification. Indonesia currently imports 54% of its fuel from Singapore.