Three Indonesian judges have been arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes to deliver a favourable ruling that cleared three major palm oil companies of corruption charges, in a scandal that has rocked the country’s legal system.
The judges, who served on a special anti-corruption court in Jakarta, had acquitted Wilmar Group, Musim Mas Group, and Permata Hijau Group last month of wrongdoing related to illegal exports of crude palm oil. The acquittal came despite findings that the companies had violated export regulations imposed in 2022 to curb soaring domestic cooking oil prices.
On Sunday night, Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office confirmed the arrest of the judges, following an investigation involving seven witnesses and mounting evidence of bribery. According to Abdul Qohar, director of investigations at the office, the judges are now officially suspects in a major corruption case.
Authorities allege that a network of legal representatives paid a bribe of 60 billion rupiah (approximately £2.6 million) to Muhammad Arif Nuryanta, the deputy chief of the South Jakarta District Court at the time, to influence the outcome. Nuryanta, who has also been arrested, allegedly distributed over £756,000 to the panel of judges who ultimately handed down the acquittal.
“The bribe was given so that the judges would rule that it’s not a crime,” said Harli Siregar, spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office, as reported by Reuters.
In addition to the judges, a court clerk and two lawyers have also been arrested in connection to the case, deepening concerns over corruption in Indonesia’s judiciary.
The court’s ruling, issued on 19 March, had drawn immediate criticism. While it acknowledged that the companies had exported palm oil without the required permits, the judges ruled that the actions did not constitute a criminal offense. Prosecutors had originally sought hundreds of millions of pounds in fines.
The palm oil companies maintain their innocence. Wilmar Group issued a statement on Monday defending its actions during the period in question, stating: “We believe that we are not guilty of the charges, as our actions were aimed at helping the government improve domestic supply and reduce prices, despite incurring additional costs.”
Indonesia, the world’s largest producer of palm oil, imposed strict export restrictions in 2022 to stabilise the domestic cooking oil market, which was under pressure due to global shortages and price spikes.
The accused judges could face suspension and eventual dismissal if found guilty. Legal experts and civil society organisations are now calling for widespread reforms to restore public trust in the judiciary.
“This case must be a turning point,” said a representative from Indonesia’s Judicial Commission. “Corruption at this level not only undermines the rule of law but also compromises public interest in one of the country’s most critical industries.”
