Kerry Riza Claims Unfair Trial as Jakarta Court Rejects Key Witness in Pertamina Corruption Appeal

Beneficial owner of PT Orbit Terminal Merak, Kerry Adrianto Riza, alleges he has been treated unfairly in the appellate proceedings of a suspected oil‑and‑refinery‑product corruption case. In a letter written from Salemba detention and read at a press conference, Riza said former Pertamina directors affirmed that no intervention occurred in the leasing of OTM’s fuel terminal, but the Jakarta High Court refused to allow the appearance of key witness Irawan Prakoso, despite having approved his testimony in an earlier hearing.

Riza’s legal team, led by lawyer Hamdan Zoelva, reiterated requests for Prakoso—identified as a crucial link between alleged conspirators Mohamad Riza Chalid and Pertamina officials—and for a maritime‑expert witness, both of which were denied. The dispute centers on accusations that Prakoso facilitated pressure from Chalid and other parties on Pertamina executives regarding the OTM terminal lease, potentially implicating state losses. Riza argues that without the witness, the case cannot be fairly adjudicated.