Interpol Seeks Arrest of Indonesian Oil Tycoon Over $17bn Graft Scandal!

Interpol Seeks Arrest of Indonesian Oil Tycoon Over $17bn Graft Scandal!

Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi | Sele Media Africa Journalist

Interpol has issued a Red Notice for the arrest of prominent Indonesian oil tycoon Mohammad Riza Chalid, escalating international efforts to apprehend him over his alleged role in a massive corruption scandal involving Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, PT Pertamina.
Indonesian authorities confirmed that the Red Notice was issued on January 23, 2026, authorising law-enforcement agencies across Interpol’s 196 member countries to locate and provisionally arrest Chalid pending extradition or related legal proceedings. The announcement was made by the National Central Bureau (NCB) Interpol Indonesia, which is coordinating closely with Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, and international partners.
Chalid, 66, popularly known as the “gasoline godfather,” is accused of masterminding large-scale corruption in the management of crude oil and refinery products at Pertamina between 2018 and 2023. Prosecutors allege that the scheme resulted in state and economic losses estimated at between US$17 billion and US$18 billion (approximately Rp 285 trillion), making it one of the largest corruption scandals in Indonesia’s energy sector.
Investigators said Chalid, identified as the beneficial owner of several companies including PT Orbit Terminal Merak, allegedly colluded with senior Pertamina officials to manipulate fuel terminal lease agreements and procurement processes, even when there was no operational need for additional storage facilities. He is also facing money laundering charges connected to the case.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) had earlier declared Chalid a fugitive after he repeatedly failed to honour official summons. He was placed on Indonesia’s wanted list in August 2025, his passport was revoked, and authorities believe he has since been hiding abroad. Several co-suspects, including former Pertamina executives and Chalid’s son, have already been named or arrested in connection with the scandal.
With the Interpol Red Notice now active, Indonesian police say Chalid’s international movements are significantly restricted, while global surveillance and asset-tracing operations are ongoing to facilitate his arrest and recover stolen public funds.

Citation:
1.https://inp.polri.go.id/artikel/interpol-issues-red-notice-for-oil-tycoon-riza-chalid

2.https://news.detik.com/berita/d-8335584/interpol-resmi-terbitkan-red-notice-buron-kasus-minyak-riza-chalid

3.https://inp.polri.go.id/artikel/ago-names-riza-chalid-eight-others-as-suspects-in-18b-oil-corruption-scandal

4.https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/02/02/interpol-issues-red-notice-for-indonesia-039gasoline-godfather039

5.https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3342062/interpol-issues-red-notice-indonesian-oil-tycoon-us285-million-corruption-scandal

About The Author

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

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Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

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