Direktur Penyidikan Jampidsus Kejagung Saiful Bahri Siregar (kedua dari kanan) dalam jumpa pers di Gedung Bundar, Jakarta, Jumat (6/11/2026). (Foto: Rumondang/detikcom)
JAKARTA — The Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) is deepening its investigation into alleged corruption in nickel mining governance in Southeast Sulawesi from 2013 to 2025. Investigators from the Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) are now tracing the finances and assets of companies allegedly controlled by mining businessman Arif Kurniawan (AK).
AK remains a witness for now. Jampidsus Director of Investigations Saiful Bahri Siregar said testimony from 38 witnesses indicates AK controlled and benefited from six nickel mining companies: PT BSJ, PT KAA, PT ANI, PT AMI, PT AMID and PT HJ. According to the AGO, he has been detected abroad, so his legal status cannot yet be determined, detikcom and Tribunnews reported.
Six Locations Searched, Rp11.79 Billion Seized
Investigators and a digital forensics team simultaneously searched six locations in Jakarta: a house in Cilandak, South Jakarta, and five mining company offices at APL Tower Central Park, Mid Plaza Sudirman and SCBD. They seized computers, laptops, phones, mining operations servers, transaction documents and Rp11.795 billion in cash kept in bags and suitcases in an office, according to Berita Senator.
“The team continues to build the case by examining witnesses and analyzing digital evidence to ensure full legal accountability,” Saiful said at the AGO’s Round Building.
Alleged Permit Manipulation
Among the findings, the production permits of PT BSJ and PT KAA reportedly expired in 2015, yet the companies were placed under temporary suspension status three times. Saiful said this violated the rules, as the permits should have been terminated and returned to the state. Investigators are also looking into alleged bribes to state officials to smooth administrative and permit processes.
Investigators are now analyzing bank records and tracing assets to detect possible money laundering, while preparing to freeze the assets of those involved. In parallel, the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) is examining alleged unlicensed use of forest areas by the group.
The case adds to a string of corruption cases in Southeast Sulawesi’s nickel sector, including the bribery case against former Ombudsman chair Hery Susanto, who was sentenced to five years in prison this week.
Summarized from Berita Senator, detikcom and Tribunnews (in Indonesian).
