Jakarta. A sweeping corruption investigation into coal procurement at state-owned electricity company PLN has expanded beyond alleged financial misconduct, putting the spotlight on relations between Indonesia’s police, military, and prosecutors.
Indonesia’s National Police said investigators seized around Rp 67.2 billion ($3.7 million) in cash and 74 kilograms of gold during coordinated raids at 12 locations on Wednesday as part of a corruption and money laundering investigation involving PLN coal supplies, state insurers Asabri and Jiwasraya, and a debt settlement involving steel companies.
The probe drew further attention after reports emerged that dozens of uniformed soldiers visited Jakarta Police headquarters early Thursday, allegedly to accompany a witness being questioned in the case. The Indonesian Military (TNI) denied any attempt to interfere with the investigation.
“The TNI does not interfere with legal processes conducted by the authorized authorities,” military spokesman Muhammad Nas said.
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One of the most notable discoveries was made at De’Clan Signature Cafe in South Jakarta, where investigators uncovered a two-meter steel safe concealed behind a display case and embedded inside a wall. The safe contained cash and foreign currencies worth about Rp 60 billion.
Investigators later found a second hidden safe at a house in Sentul, West Java, containing 74 kilograms of gold bars and additional foreign currency.
Police believe the seized assets are linked to alleged irregularities in coal procurement for PLN power plants dating back to 2018. Investigators suspect coal quality and delivery records were manipulated, causing an estimated Rp 5 trillion in state losses.
No suspects have been named, and police said the investigation remains in its early stages.
The case has attracted additional scrutiny because the raided cafe was formerly known as Gontran Cherrier, the same venue where Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah was allegedly placed under surveillance by officers from the police’s elite counterterrorism unit, Densus 88, in 2024 while leading several high-profile corruption investigations.
After Wednesday’s raid, armed military personnel were seen guarding Febrie’s residence in South Jakarta. The TNI later confirmed the deployment, saying it was carried out at the request of the Attorney General’s Office.
Legislator Soedeson Tandra urged the military, police, and prosecutors to support investigators and ensure the case is handled transparently.
“All institutions must stand behind investigators so the case can be fully uncovered and those responsible can be held accountable,” he said.
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