Muhammad Kerry Andrianto Riza, the son of prominent businessman Riza Chalid, faces a demanding 18-year prison sentence for his alleged involvement in a corruption case concerning the management of crude oil and refinery products between 2018 and 2023. The prosecution presented its demands during a sentencing hearing at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday night, February 13, as reported by Antara.
“We demand that Kerry be declared legally and convincingly guilty of committing corruption collectively in this case, as outlined in the primary indictment,” stated public prosecutor Triyana Setia Putra from the Attorney General’s Office. This significant demand underscores the severity of the charges leveled against Riza Chalid’s son in this high-profile case.
Beyond the lengthy prison term, prosecutors are also seeking a Rp 2 billion fine from Kerry. Should this fine remain unpaid, it would be commuted to an additional 190 days in prison. Furthermore, the prosecution requested that the panel of judges impose an additional penalty requiring Kerry to pay Rp 13.4 trillion in restitution. This astronomical sum comprises Rp 2.9 trillion for state financial losses and Rp 10.5 trillion for state economic losses. Failure to pay this restitution would result in a subsidiary sentence of an additional 10 years in prison.
Kerry is deemed guilty of violating Article 603 juncto Article 20 letter c of the National Criminal Code in conjunction with Article 18 of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption, as amended and supplemented by Law Number 20 of 2021. These legal articles form the foundation of the charges against him for his alleged role in the widespread corruption scheme.
Prior to announcing the demands, prosecutors highlighted several aggravating factors contributing to the severity of the sentence. They emphasized that Kerry’s actions fundamentally undermine the government’s crucial program to establish a clean state administration, free from corruption, collusion, and nepotism (KKN). Such conduct, they argued, represents a significant impediment to good governance.
Additionally, the immense scale of the state financial and economic losses directly attributable to Kerry’s actions, coupled with his apparent lack of remorse or regret for his deeds, were also cited as critical reasons to support the stringent demands for punishment. On a slightly mitigating note, prosecutors acknowledged that the defendant had no prior criminal record, which was the sole factor considered in his favor.
Sentencing Demands for Two Other Defendants
The same court session also saw the reading of sentencing demands for two co-defendants: Gading Ramadhan Juedo, Commissioner of PT Pelayaran Mahameru Kencana Abadi (PMKA), and Dimas Werhaspati, Commissioner of PT Jenggala Maritim Nusantara (JMN). Both individuals were sought to be sentenced to 16 years in prison and ordered to pay a Rp 1 billion fine, convertible to an additional 190 days in prison if unpaid.
Regarding restitution, Gading was demanded to pay Rp 1.17 billion, detailed as Rp 176.39 billion for state financial losses and Rp 1 trillion for state economic losses. Dimas, on the other hand, faces a demand for US$11.09 million for state financial losses and Rp 1 trillion for state economic losses. If either Gading or Dimas fails to pay their respective restitution amounts, they would each face an additional 8 years in prison.
In the broader scope of the case, Kerry is accused of enriching himself by an astonishing Rp 3.07 trillion within a corruption scheme that allegedly caused a total of Rp 285.18 trillion in state losses, encompassing both financial and economic damage. These figures underscore the vast scope and impact of the alleged fraudulent activities.
Specific allegations include Kerry’s and Dimas’ self-enrichment through PT JMN in the procurement of three ships, amounting to US$9.86 million, equivalent to Rp 162.69 billion (at an exchange rate of Rp 16,500 per US dollar), and an additional Rp 1.07 billion. Furthermore, in the Merak TBBM (Fuel Terminal) lease activities, Kerry, Gading, and Mohammad Riza Chalid, who is identified as the beneficial owner of PT Tanki Merak and PT Orbit Terminal Merak, allegedly enriched themselves by Rp 2.91 trillion, exposing a complex web of alleged illicit financial gains.
Summary
Muhammad Kerry Andrianto Riza, son of prominent businessman Riza Chalid, faces a demand for an 18-year prison sentence for his alleged involvement in a corruption case concerning crude oil and refinery product management between 2018 and 2023. Prosecutors also sought a Rp 2 billion fine, with an additional 190 days in prison if unpaid. Furthermore, they demanded Rp 13.4 trillion in restitution, comprising Rp 2.9 trillion for state financial losses and Rp 10.5 trillion for state economic losses.
In the same court session, co-defendants Gading Ramadhan Juedo and Dimas Werhaspati were each demanded 16 years in prison and a Rp 1 billion fine. Gading faces an additional restitution demand of Rp 1.17 billion, while Dimas is required to pay US$11.09 million and Rp 1 trillion. Kerry is accused of self-enrichment totaling Rp 3.07 trillion, contributing to alleged state losses of Rp 285.18 trillion.