Indonesia customs scandal over illegal rare‑earth export arrests three officials

Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) has named three suspects in a alleged corruption case involving the export of non‑metallic mineral ore containing prohibited rare‑earth elements. The suspects are IS, a representative of PT PMM, JK, the Head of the Pangkalpinang Customs Office (Type C), and GP, the Head of the PT S branch in Pangkalpinang.

Investigators say IS pressured GP to skip thorough laboratory analysis of ilmenite samples so that the presence of banned rare‑earth metals would not be detected. The lab report was allegedly altered to list the commodity as export‑eligible ilmenite only. JK is accused of approving export documents despite knowledge that the shipment contained restricted rare‑earth minerals, based on analysis from PLBC Jakarta and the central laboratory.

“Tim penyidik menetapkan tiga orang tersangka …” said Prosecutor Syarief Sulaeman Nahdi, adding that the goal was “agar kandungan logam tanah jarang … tidak dimuat dalam laporan hasil uji laboratorium.” The case highlights potential abuse of customs and private‑sector officials to conceal valuable rare‑earth exports that are prohibited by law.