PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Supreme Court (MA) has officially overturned the acquittal (ontslag van alle recht vervolging) previously granted to three major palm oil corporations involved in a high-profile corruption case linked to the export permit for crude palm oil (CPO). The companies are PT Wilmar Group, PT Permata Hijau Group, and PT Musim Mas Group — all major players in Indonesia’s palm oil industry.
The cassation decision, Case No. 8432 K/PID.SUS/2025, was handed down on September 15, 2025, by a panel chaired by Justice Dwiarso Budi Santiarto, with Justices Achmad Setyo Pudjoharsoyo and Agustinus Purnomo Hadi as members. The verdict clearly stated: “Prosecutor’s cassation granted,” as recorded in the official case tracking system (SIPP) of the Central Jakarta District Court.
Although the Court has yet to release the full legal reasoning, the decision immediately drew public attention as it revives one of the most controversial cases in Indonesia’s strategic commodities sector.
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The case originated from a lower court ruling that acquitted the three corporations of corruption charges, a decision that was widely criticized as contrary to the spirit of anti-corruption enforcement. The controversy deepened when the Attorney General’s Office arrested three judges involved in the ruling — Djuyamto, Agam Syarif Baharudin, and Ali Muhtarom — for allegedly accepting bribes to issue favorable verdicts.
Investigations revealed a Rp 40 billion bribery scheme, allegedly distributed among judges and court staff. The funds were funneled through corporate lawyers Ariyanto and Marcella Santoso, who acted as intermediaries.
According to Kompas (29 September 2025), prosecutors detailed the money trail in their indictment:
- Former Deputy Chief of Central Jakarta District Court Muhammad Arif Nuryanta received Rp 15.7 billion.
- Suspended junior clerk of North Jakarta District Court Wahyu Gunawan received Rp 2.4 billion.
- Chief judge Djuyamto received Rp 9.5 billion.
- Associate judges Ali Muhtarom and Agam Syarif Baharudin each received Rp 6.2 billion.
In return, the judicial panel handed down acquittals to the three palm oil companies. Meanwhile, Arif Nuryanta and Wahyu Gunawan were accused of facilitating negotiations and ensuring that the court process favored the corporations.
All five suspects are now on trial, facing charges of bribery and judicial misconduct. The ongoing hearings have become a critical test of the integrity and credibility of Indonesia’s judicial system.
The Supreme Court’s cassation ruling, which annuls the previous acquittals, adds a new dimension to the case. By granting the prosecutor’s appeal, the Court effectively reopens the path for corporate accountability.
Beyond its legal implications, the CPO corruption case exposes deeper challenges in Indonesia’s palm oil governance — a sector already under global scrutiny for issues of sustainability, transparency, and ethical practices. With billions at stake, the industry remains vulnerable to corruption when oversight and enforcement weaken.
The Supreme Court’s latest decision sends a strong message: judicial manipulation and corporate impunity through bribery will no longer go unchecked. While the full reasoning behind the ruling is still awaited, legal observers view it as a significant step toward restoring public trust in Indonesia’s justice system. (P2)
