ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Hendry Lie, a former co-founder and shareholder of Sriwijaya Air, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his involvement in a massive tin trading corruption case that allegedly caused state losses of over IDR 300 trillion (approx. USD 19 billion). The sentence was demanded by prosecutors during a hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor) on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Hendry Lie is the majority shareholder of PT Tinindo Internusa (PT TIN), a private smelting company that entered into a controversial partnership with state-owned PT Timah Tbk. Prosecutors stated that Hendry was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of committing corruption in collusion with other suspects, including Harvey Moeis, the husband of actress Sandra Dewi.
“We request the court to sentence the defendant, Hendry Lie, to 18 years in prison,” the prosecutor declared in court.
In addition to the prison sentence, Hendry Lie was ordered to pay a fine of IDR 1 billion (approx. USD 66,000) or serve one additional year in prison if unpaid. The court also demanded that he repay IDR 1.06 trillion (approx. USD 66 million) in restitution.
If he fails to pay within one month after the verdict becomes legally binding, prosecutors are authorized to seize and auction his assets. Should his assets be insufficient, he would face an additional 10 years in prison.
“If the defendant does not have enough assets to cover the restitution, he will be subject to an additional 10-year prison term,” said the prosecutor.
State Losses Estimated at Over USD 19 Billion
According to audit findings, the tin trading corruption scheme caused state losses amounting to IDR 300.003 trillion. Hendry Lie was found to have actively facilitated illegal partnerships between PT TIN and PT Timah Tbk, including leasing smelting equipment and processing illegally mined tin ore.
He allegedly created fictitious companies to disguise the illicit activities and smooth the flow of illegal tin through PT TIN’s operations from 2015 to 2022.
The Attorney General’s Office named Hendry Lie a suspect on April 15, 2024, making him the 22nd person charged in the ongoing investigation into corruption and money laundering tied to PT Timah Tbk’s operations in Bangka Belitung.
His younger brother, Fandy Lie, who served as marketing manager at PT TIN, was also named a suspect in the case.
Who Is Hendry Lie? From Aviation Pioneer to Corruption Scandal
Born in Pangkal Pinang in 1965, Hendry Lie was one of the pioneers of Sriwijaya Air, founded in 2002 alongside Chandra Lie and Andy Halim. Originally in the garment industry, Hendry transitioned into aviation and helped build one of Indonesia’s largest private airlines.
Under his leadership, Sriwijaya Air operated its first fleet of Boeing 737-200s, serving domestic routes like Jakarta–Pangkal Pinang and Jakarta–Pontianak. However, despite its early success, the airline later suffered from severe financial distress, racking up debts exceeding IDR 7.3 trillion.
Sriwijaya Air eventually filed for debt restructuring (PKPU) and considered going public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
Simultaneously, Hendry held a key role as commissioner of PT Tinindo Internusa, where he allegedly used his influence to engage in illegal tin smelting operations. By collecting and processing tin from unauthorized mining sites, he reportedly profited personally while causing immense financial damage to the state.
Authorities allege that Hendry Lie personally gained over IDR 1.05 trillion (approx. USD 65 million) from these operations, in collaboration with 21 other individuals, including PT TIN’s general manager, identified as “RL”.
The Attorney General’s Office is continuing to investigate this high-profile scandal to ensure all perpetrators face appropriate justice. (AT Network)
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