ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — As Indonesia continues to promote its police reform agenda as a cornerstone of institutional accountability and public trust, the prolonged stagnation of several criminal cases is once again raising serious questions.
One such case involves an alleged IDR 3 billion (approximately USD 190,000) industrial diesel fraud and embezzlement scheme reported by Jakarta-based businessman Anggara Pardede to the South Jakarta Metropolitan Police.
Nearly two years after the incident occurred, and almost one year since the official police report was filed, the case remains stuck at the pre-investigation stage, with no clear legal certainty.
“What I am experiencing clearly contradicts the spirit of police reform. The process is slow, opaque, and leaves the case hanging,” Anggara said in Jakarta on Monday, December 22, 2025.
How the Alleged Industrial Diesel Fraud Began
The case dates back to April 2023, when Anggara was introduced to Yeni Rahmawati and her husband, Husni, by a business associate, Irwan Jefta Manopode.
The couple claimed to have extensive experience in the industrial diesel trading business, even stating that they had previously worked for oil and gas companies in Makassar.
Based on these representations, the parties entered into a business capital safekeeping agreement in June 2023. Initially, the cooperation appeared smooth. Diesel transactions were carried out in Sulawesi through 10 shipments, with volumes gradually increasing from 10 kiloliters (KL) to 20 KL, and later 30 KL.
Over time, however, payment terms began to deteriorate—initially delayed from three days to seven days, and later stretched to 14–21 days.
Expansion to NTB That Ended in Deadlock
Problems escalated in mid-July 2023, when Yeni and Husni proposed expanding operations to West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). They promised access to a large market and claimed to have buyers lined up among mining contractors, allegedly linked to the Amman Mineral project.
Persuaded by these assurances, Anggara injected additional capital. Cost proposals included diesel procurement, vessel chartering, and operational expenses.
In early August 2023, the vessel SPOB Permata Barito transported 150,000 liters of industrial diesel purchased from PT AKR Corporindo’s Benoa Branch in Bali. All payments were made by Anggara via bank transfers.
However, the diesel was never sold. Various explanations followed, ranging from buyer withdrawals to alleged technical obstacles.
The vessel remained stranded for months at Benete Port, reportedly beyond the effective oversight of port authorities.
Rising Costs and Unfulfilled Commitments
During this period, Anggara claims he was repeatedly asked to cover additional expenses, including: vessel demobilization, employee salaries, fuel tanker rentals, storage tank leasing, and licensing fees.
Anggara eventually met directly with Yeni and Husni. At that meeting, the couple signed a written statement acknowledging responsibility for all outstanding diesel payments and operational costs.
“Yet to this day, those commitments have not been fully honored,” Anggara said.
Police Report Filed, Case Remains Stuck
Feeling defrauded, Anggara filed a report with the South Jakarta Police Integrated Service Center (SPKT) on April 4, 2024. The report was officially registered under:
LP/B/1023/V/2024/SPKT/POLRES METRO JAKSEL/POLDA METRO JAYA.
The reported financial losses total Rp3 billion, with funds transferred to multiple accounts, including oil and gas companies and personal accounts, based on instructions from the reported parties.
Despite nearly a year having passed, the case has yet to move beyond the pre-investigation phase.
South Jakarta Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit has issued several Investigation Progress Notification Letters (SP2HP) dated September 5, 2024, September 26, 2024, and January 13, 2025.
However, Anggara says these updates do not address the substance of the alleged crime.
“They merely mention tracing companies allegedly linked to Yeni. There has been no concrete step toward naming suspects or upgrading the case to a formal investigation,” he said.
Named as Suspects in NTB, But Not in Jakarta
Anggara’s frustration deepened after learning that Yeni and Husni had already been named suspects in a similar case in Sumbawa, NTB.
In that case, the couple allegedly orchestrated a fictitious fuel supply scheme, causing losses of up to Rp7 billion to another businessman.
The NTB Regional Police confirmed that the suspect designation followed a case review in July.
For Anggara, this development should have served as a serious warning signal and a strong basis for South Jakarta Police to escalate his report to the investigation stage.
A Real Test for Indonesia’s Police Reform
The prolonged handling of this case is increasingly viewed as a reflection of systemic weaknesses in law enforcement, and a real test of Indonesia’s police reform commitment, which emphasizes transparency, professionalism, and legal certainty.
Anggara says he is now facing significant psychological and financial strain. He fears that assets, documents, and financial trails related to the case could be diverted or lost as time continues to pass.
“I am simply asking for certainty—whether the case moves forward to a full investigation, prosecution, or is formally dropped. It should not be left hanging,” he said.
He urged police authorities to resolve the case in line with the reform principles repeatedly promoted to the public.
“If police reform is genuine, cases like this should not be allowed to drag on indefinitely. Justice must not be defeated by time,” Anggara concluded. (AT Network)
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