Berita Baru, Jakarta — The Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia coalition has urged the government and law enforcement authorities not to focus solely on naming suspects in the alleged corruption case involving coal procurement for coal-fired power plants (PLTUs), but also to reform the governance of the energy supply chain, which it considers the root of the problem. The call was made following developments in an investigation that is suspected to have caused state losses of approximately Rp5 trillion.
In a press release issued on 13 July 2026, PWYP Indonesia said the case indicates a systemic failure in the oversight of the coal supply chain over many years. The coalition highlighted a series of developments, including the designation of former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah and a private-sector figure identified as DR as suspects, the seizure of assets worth around Rp541 billion, and the transfer of the case to the Attorney General’s Office. According to PWYP, the substance of the alleged corruption must not be overshadowed by the dynamics surrounding the handling of the case.
PWYP Indonesia National Coordinator Aryanto Nugroho said the alleged manipulation of coal supplies over many years has had far-reaching consequences for the public.
“This is not merely an ordinary procurement corruption case, nor is it simply a case involving one official. Coal remains the backbone of the national electricity system. When the supply chain is manipulated systematically over many years, the burden is ultimately borne by all Indonesians,” Aryanto said.
PWYP questioned how alleged manipulation of coal quality, quantity, and pricing could have continued since 2018 without being detected by multiple oversight mechanisms, including PLN’s internal controls, independent surveyors, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), and state auditors. The coalition said the situation requires a transparent and accountable legal process to determine whether the failure resulted from negligence or deliberate tolerance in supervision.
PWYP also called on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to exercise its coordination and supervision functions over all aspects of the case. The coalition argued that if there are indications of undue delays in the investigation, attempts to protect perpetrators, or interference from political power, the KPK should consider using its authority to take over the case in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The coalition further stated that weak transparency in the coal supply chain has created opportunities for manipulation of specifications, volumes, prices, and contract fulfillment. PWYP emphasized that traceability of coal origin, pricing, and payment flows is a critical element in preventing corruption in the energy sector.
“Traceability is the key. Every ton of coal claimed to have entered a power plant must be traceable — its origin, its price, and its payment. Without that transparency, the coal sector will continue to be fertile ground for recurring corruption,” Aryanto said.
In its statement, PWYP Indonesia put forward seven demands, including urging the KPK to conduct coordination and supervision, investigating all parties involved including beneficial owners, publishing the results of the Supreme Audit Agency’s (BPK) investigative audit, opening PLN’s coal contracts and supplier data to public scrutiny, verifying beneficial ownership data of supplier companies, establishing an independent system for verifying coal quality and quantity, and strengthening protection for whistleblowers.
PWYP Indonesia also noted the formation of a special working committee by Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) to examine the case and called for all deliberations to be conducted transparently. The coalition stated that it will continue monitoring the handling of the case while pushing for comprehensive reform of energy supply chain governance.
Source: beritabaru.co