Former Indonesian Ombudsman Chief Hery Susanto Sentenced to Five Years for Bribery

Prison term and financial penalties

Chief Judge Dwi Elyarahma Sulistyowati delivered the ruling at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court. The five-year term was below the five and a half years requested by prosecutors, who had also sought a fine of IDR 300 million and restitution of IDR 4.15 billion.

The court set the fine at IDR 300 million but ordered restitution of IDR 3.875 billion. The fine is due within one month after the judgment becomes legally binding, with an extension of up to one additional month permitted.

For the restitution payment, the ruling took account of Hery's house at Pulogebang Permai, Block D5 No. 10, in Pulogebang Village, Cakung District, East Jakarta. His assets may be seized and auctioned if he fails to pay restitution within one month after the judgment becomes final. If those assets do not cover the obligation, he faces an additional three-year prison term.

Ombudsman findings sought through bribes

The prosecution's indictment places the case within the governance of nickel mining operations in Southeast Sulawesi during 2013-2025.

The court found that Hery accepted bribes in return for statements in the Ombudsman's report declaring certain government decisions to be maladministration. These included the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's assessment of PNBP PKH payment obligations for PT Toshida Indonesia and PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri.

The bribes also sought a finding of maladministration over the rejection of applications by PT Mitra Kumala Energi and PT Gold Nala Raya to convert Exploration IUPs into Production Operation IUPs.

In its account of the payments, the prosecution said PT Toshida Indonesia director Laode Sinarwan Oda provided IDR 675 million through Lukman Malanuang. That money was delivered to Hery's brother, Edi Sugandi. Prosecutors also attributed a payment of IDR 200 million to Chia Peng Chuan, known as Peng, the director of PT Dinamika Sejahtera Mandiri.

Prosecutors said Agung Winarno supplied a house at Pulo Gebang Permai worth IDR 2.2 billion and a further IDR 1.725 billion in cash. They also identified an IDR 50 million payment from Muhammad Rosal, a representative of PT Mitra Kumala Energi.

Hery's denial and the prosecution's sentencing arguments

Hery denied accepting money in a defense plea read at the Corruption Court on October 8, 2026. He said he "did not receive any funds, not a single cent," and requested a full acquittal, arguing that the prosecution had not legally proven its charges and evidence.

In arguing for its requested sentence, the prosecution said Hery's conduct had undermined public trust in the reform mandate behind the Ombudsman, a body responsible for overseeing clean public services. Prosecutors cited his lack of prior convictions and his role as the family's main breadwinner as mitigating factors.

Appointment and earlier career

Hery's detention came only days after he became Ombudsman chairman. President Prabowo Subianto swore him in at the State Palace on April 10, 2026, for the 2026-2031 term. The Attorney General's Office named him a suspect and detained him on April 16, according to BBC News Indonesia.

Born in Cirebon on April 9, 1975, Hery holds a doctorate in Population and Environmental Education from Jakarta State University (UNJ). His earlier positions included two terms as executive director of Komunal, from 2004 to 2009 and from 2009 to 2014, followed by work as an expert staffer to the Indonesian House of Representatives' Commission IX from 2014 to 2019. He also chaired the National Coordinator of the BPJS Care Community from 2016 to 2021.