Jakarta – The Center of Energy and Resources Indonesia (CERI) suspects the involvement of certain surveyors in alleged corruption and money laundering cases linked to coal supply procurement for steam power plants (PLTU) during the 2018–2026 period.

CERI Executive Director Yusri Usman estimates that two mining companies allegedly involved in the case colluded with the surveyors responsible for issuing coal sample analysis documents.

Yusri suspects that the miners manipulated coal quality specifications in their contracts with the power plants or PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI)—specifically by selling lower-quality coal at prices corresponding to higher-quality coal.

"Typically, they [the mining companies] 'play games' with the surveyors when issuing coal sample analysis certificates. The certificates are supposed to align with contract terms, but the reality is different," Yusri said when contacted on Tuesday (July 7, 2026).

He emphasized that the technical aspects of the coal supply chain for these power plants do not involve the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM); instead, the process involves only the miners, PT PLN EPI (as the coal supply manager), the surveyors, and the power plant operators.

Consequently, he urges law enforcement agencies to collect coal samples from the power plant stockpiles where such fraudulent practices are suspected to have occurred.

Subsequently, authorities can examine documents issued by surveyors to verify that the coal quality aligns with contract specifications.

He also emphasized that data regarding coal trading operations is already recorded in the systems of the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal (Minerba) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) under the Ministry of Finance, and the Harbormaster and Port Authority Office (KSOP) under the Directorate General of Sea Transportation.

"This includes taking coal samples from every stockpile at coal-fired power plants (PLTU) across Indonesia and scrutinizing the surveyors appointed by PLN EPI and coal suppliers who issued the coal analysis certificates," Yusri asserted.

For context, the Corruption Crime Coordination Task Force (Kortas Tipidkor) of the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) has officially upgraded the handling of the alleged corruption and money laundering case—linked to coal supply procurement for power plants during the 2018–2026 period—from the preliminary inquiry stage to the full investigation stage.

The Head of the Task Force, Inspector General Totok Suharyanto, explained that investigators uncovered suspected irregularities in the coal procurement and supply process involving several companies, namely PT UBP and PT BRA.

The potential state financial loss in this case could reach IDR 5 trillion; however, the exact figure will be officially calculated by the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK).

Meanwhile, the Director of Corruption Crimes, Brigadier General Roberthus Yohanes De Deo Tresna Eka Trimana, explained that the alleged modus operandi included the manipulation of coal quality documents and supply quantities, as well as irregularities resulting in contract payments that did not reflect actual supply conditions.

According to him, these alleged irregularities also threatened to disrupt coal supplies, potentially leading to power outages or blackouts in several regions, including Sumatra, parts of Kalimantan, Central Java, East Java, and parts of the Greater Jakarta (Jabodetabek) area.

"As a result of these actions—compounded by the economic losses caused by the blackouts—it is estimated that the state has suffered financial and/or economic losses amounting to approximately IDR 5 trillion. However, this loss figure remains provisional and is currently being coordinated with the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK RI) for an official investigative audit," Roberthus stated in a press release on Monday (July 6, 2026).

Separately, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has established a coal procurement team for PT PLN (Persero) to prevent a recurrence of the coal supply shortages for power plants that occurred in 2022.

Bahlil expressed strong frustration at the prospect of the 2022 situation repeating itself this year. Consequently, the team was formed to oversee coal procurement for both state-owned (PLN) and private coal-fired power plants.

Bahlil even raised the possibility of involving law enforcement agencies in the team he has initiated.

"We saw this kind of incident in 2022 as well. This is not a new issue for PLN; it happened in 2022 too. Are we to face the same problem every year? From the regulator's perspective, we believe that without proper oversight, we cannot allow this situation to continue," Bahlil told the media at the Presidential Palace Complex on Monday (June 22, 2026). He explained that the team comprises representatives from PLN, the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal (Dirjen Minerba), the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), and the Inspector General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

“The procurement team consists of PLN, the Director General of Coal, BPKP, and the Inspector General. We may also involve assistance from law enforcement agencies to ensure such issues do not recur,” he stated.

Currently, PLN’s total annual coal requirement stands at 154 million metric tons. To meet this demand, the government has issued mandates—or Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) requirements—to coal companies totaling approximately 190 million tons.

However, implementation on the ground has not proceeded smoothly. Coal supplies contracted for PLN amount to only 134 million tons, leaving a shortfall of approximately 20 million tons.**