InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — The Supreme Court (MA) has officially overturned the acquittal (ontslag van alle recht vervolging) for three major palm oil companies previously cleared in a corruption case involving the granting of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) export facilities. The three companies, which had initially escaped legal entanglement, are PT Wilmar Group, PT Permata Hijau Group, and PT Musim Mas Group.

The cassation ruling, with case number 8432 K/PID.SUS/2025, was handed down on September 15, 2025, by the Supreme Court Justice Panel led by Dwiarso Budi Santiarto, with members Achmad Setyo Pudjoharsoyo and Agustinus Purnomo Hadi. The verdict clearly states: “Cassation by the Public Prosecutor = Granted,” as recorded in the Jakarta Central District Court's Case Tracing Information System (SIPP).

While the MA has yet to release the full legal reasoning for the decision, the ruling has immediately drawn public attention as it concerns one of the largest corruption cases in Indonesia’s strategic industry sector.

The case originated at the first-tier court, where the judicial panel decided on the ontslag (acquittal) for the three palm oil corporations. That decision drew sharp criticism for being inconsistent with efforts to eradicate corruption.

Controversy escalated after the Attorney General’s Office (Kejaksaan Agung) arrested the three judges who issued the ruling: Djuyamto, Agam Syarif Baharudin, and Ali Muhtarom. The three were allegedly involved in accepting bribes to deliver a verdict favorable to the corporations.

The AGO’s investigation revealed a bribery scheme totaling Rp40 billion that flowed to several judges and court officials. The funds were allegedly delivered through the companies’ lawyers, Ariyanto and Marcella Santoso, who acted as intermediaries.

Quoted by InfoSAWIT from Kompas on Monday (9/29/2025), details of the fund flow were revealed in the prosecutor's indictment:

• Former Deputy Chairman of the Jakarta Central District Court, Muhammad Arif Nuryanta, received Rp15.7 billion.
• Non-active Junior Registrar of the North Jakarta District Court, Wahyu Gunawan, received Rp2.4 billion.
• Presiding Judge, Djuyamto, received Rp9.5 billion.
• Associate Judges, Ali Muhtarom and Agam Syarif Baharudin, each pocketed Rp6.2 billion.

In return, the judicial panel ruled in favor of the acquittal for the three palm oil corporations. Arif Nuryanta and Wahyu Gunawan allegedly played a role in negotiation and manipulating the process to ensure the verdict met the companies' request.

Currently, the five suspects are seated in the defendant's chairs and are undergoing trial. They are charged with accepting bribes to manipulate the legal process. The public awaits the development of this trial, as the case is viewed as a serious test of the integrity of the judicial system.

The Supreme Court's cassation ruling, which annuls the acquittal, adds a new dimension to the case. With the prosecutor's cassation granted, the door for the legal accountability of the palm oil corporations has reopened.

This CPO export corruption case not only tarnishes the face of the judiciary but also highlights the governance of Indonesia's palm oil industry, which is facing global pressure regarding sustainability and transparency. With its immense economic value, the palm oil sector is vulnerable to corrupt practices if oversight and law enforcement weaken.

The MA's decision also signals that attempts to clear large corporations from legal entanglement through bribery can no longer be tolerated. Although the detailed legal considerations are still awaited, the ruling is considered an important step in restoring public trust in the judicial system. (T2)