Global manhunt intensifies as authorities pursue fugitive tycoon in massive Pertamina graft case

Indonesia’s long-running battle against high-level corruption escalated onto the global stage after Interpol stepped in to pursue one of the country’s most powerful oil figures.

Interpol Red Notice Issued
Interpol has issued a red notice for the arrest of Mohammad Riza Chalid, one of Indonesia’s most prominent oil tycoons, over his alleged role in a corruption scandal involving state-owned energy giant Pertamina. The notice was issued on Jan 23 and confirmed by Indonesian police late on Feb 1.

Allegations Tied to Pertamina Operations
Riza, widely known as the “gasoline godfather,” is accused of corruption linked to Pertamina’s oil procurement activities between 2018 and 2023. Prosecutors allege he was involved in manipulating a lease agreement, laundering money, and orchestrating the import of crude oil from overseas suppliers at inflated prices instead of sourcing it domestically, as required by Indonesian law.

Global Search Underway
Interpol’s Indonesia National Central Bureau secretary, Untung Widyatmoko, said the red notice has been circulated to all 196 Interpol member countries. While authorities have not disclosed Riza’s location, they indicated they have strong leads on his whereabouts. The notice allows foreign law enforcement agencies to provisionally arrest him pending extradition proceedings.

Scale of the Corruption Case
The Attorney General’s Office estimates the overall losses from the Pertamina corruption case at 285 trillion rupiah, equivalent to approx. S$22.8 billion. As of early 2026, 18 individuals have been named suspects, including Riza, his son Muhammad Kerry Adrianto Riza, and several high-ranking Pertamina officials.

Passport Revocation and Legal Pressure
Indonesia’s immigration office revoked Riza’s passport in October, tightening legal pressure as investigators sought to prevent him from evading prosecution. Authorities believe the alleged corruption network operated systematically over several years, causing severe financial damage to the state energy sector.

Part of a Broader Anti-Graft Push
The case reflects Indonesia’s intensified anti-corruption drive in recent years. In 2023, a former communications minister was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a separate corruption case that reportedly cost the country more than US$530 million, underscoring the government’s tougher stance on elite graft.

The red notice against Riza Chalid signals a significant escalation in Indonesia’s fight against large-scale corruption, with international cooperation now central to enforcement. The case is being closely watched in both Indonesia and Singapore, given its massive financial impact and implications for governance, cross-border law enforcement, and accountability in the regional energy sector.

Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Jakarta Post (2026)

Keywords: Indonesia Corruption, Interpol Red Notice, Pertamina Scandal, Riza Chalid, Oil Tycoon Case