Prabowo Told To Press Anwar To Extradite Wanted Businessperson

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An Indonesian anti-graft watchdog has urged President Prabowo Subianto to press Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the return of a key corruption suspect, Riza Chalid, who is believed to be or previously resided in Malaysia.
In an open letter shared with the media, Masyarakat Anti-Korupsi Indonesia (Maki) spokesperson Boyamin Saiman said Indonesian authorities have yet to arrest or detain Riza, allegedly due to his location outside the republic.
“They have yet to arrest or detain him because he is not residing in Indonesia and is believed to be living, or to have lived, in Malaysia - although the latest information suggests he may have flown from Malaysia to Japan.
“We respectfully urge you, Mr President, to raise the matter of Riza’s return during your meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” Boyamin said.
ADSOn July 11, Indonesian prosecutors 11 named Riza as a suspect in a corruption case involving oil and gas giant Pertamina.
He is accused of conspiring with Pertamina executives to secure a terminal leasing agreement in Merak, Banten, despite the company allegedly having no need for additional storage.
‘Godfather of oil’
Riza, said to be the beneficial owner of PT Tangki Merak and PT Orbit Terminal Merak, is also accused of profiting from the inflated lease deal.
Apart from Riza, 17 others - including current and former Pertamina executives and private company representatives - have been arrested in the case, which reportedly incurred losses amounting to Rp286 trillion (US$17 billion).
Boyamin told Malaysiakini that he submitted the open letter to Prabowo through a staff member at the presidential office, ahead of the president’s reported bilateral meeting with Anwar in Jakarta.
On July 21, The Jakarta Post reported that Riza left Indonesia on Feb 6 and that his last known location was Malaysia, according to data from the Immigration and Corrections Ministry.
Indonesia’s acting immigration director-general Yuldi Yusman previously said the department had “communicated with the Malaysian Immigration Department and the Royal Malaysia Police to locate Riza”.
In his letter, Boyamin claimed that Riza - dubbed “the Godfather of oil” - is married into a royal family from either a northern or southern Malaysian state, and allegedly has ties to Anwar.
In 2023, Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor alleged a link between Anwar and an “Indonesian businessperson”, later identified as Riza, who had expressed interest in investing in rare earth mining in the state.
Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi NorAnwar later confirmed having an audience with Kedah ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, accompanied by an Indonesian businessperson, but stressed it was merely a courtesy call.
Repatriation
ADSBoyamin also wrote that repatriating Riza would require close cooperation between Jakarta and Putrajaya.
“While it is Malaysia’s obligation to repatriate an Indonesian citizen facing legal issues, a direct discussion between you and Anwar Ibrahim is still needed to ensure or expedite the process.
“We are concerned that returning Riza Chalid may face significant delays and obstacles, which is why this issue deserves special attention from the heads of both governments,” he added.
To support his call, Boyamin cited the successful repatriation of Indonesia’s most wanted graft fugitive Djoko Tjandra from Malaysia in 2020.
“Past experience has shown that the Indonesian government was able to bring Djoko Tjandra back from Malaysia thanks to the strong bilateral cooperation between both countries.
“This precedent should serve as a solid basis for securing Riza’s return,” Boyamin said.
Masyarakat Anti-Korupsi Indonesia spokesperson Boyamin SaimanMalaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Syed Hasrin Tengku Hussin yesterday said the annual Malaysia-Indonesia consultation is the highest-level bilateral mechanism between the two countries.
Anwar, who will be attending the consultation in Jakarta, is expected to be accompanied by Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor.
Others are Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. - FMT

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