TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that his government does not interfere in the legal affairs involving Mohammad Riza Chalid, an Indonesian oil tycoon.
Speaking during a meeting with several editors-in-chief in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Anwar acknowledged knowing and having met Riza Chalid but emphasized, "Let the legal process in Indonesia continue."
Anwar did not explicitly respond to questions regarding Riza Chalid's presence in Malaysia.
Earlier, Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Community (MAKI), Boyamin Bin Saiman, alleged that Riza Chalid had married a relative of a Malaysian sultan. Riza Chalid, who is a suspect in a corruption case concerning the management of PT Pertamina's oil, skipped an initial summons by the Attorney General's Office (AGO), and his whereabouts were later traced to Malaysia.
Boyamin suspected Riza had married a relative of a sultan from a kingdom with the initials 'J' or 'K,' claiming this marriage strengthened Riza's position in Malaysia.
"Riza Chalid is suspected to have lived in Johor, Malaysia for a long time, and there are allegations that he has married a relative of the sultan in a state in Malaysia," Boyamin said in a written statement on Monday, July 28, 2025.
According to Boyamin, Riza Chalid was also close friends with Anwar Ibrahim before the 77-year-old became Malaysia's Prime Minister. He cited digital evidence published by the Kedah Sultanate, in the form of a photo of Anwar Ibrahim with Riza Chalid, both of whom were received by the Sultan of Kedah on October 2, 2022.
Riza Chalid's presence in Malaysia was previously confirmed by Indonesia's Immigration Directorate General. The suspect in the alleged corruption case related to crude oil and refinery product management at PT Pertamina (Persero) from 2018-2023 was tracked departing for Malaysia on February 6, 2025.
Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman confirmed to Tempo on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, that they had coordinated with Indonesian Immigration representatives in Malaysia to confirm Riza Chalid's whereabouts.
"Since his departure, he has not returned to Indonesian territory," Yuldi said. He added that Indonesian Immigration had coordinated with the Malaysian Immigration Department and the Malaysian Police, and Riza Chalid's "whereabouts are suspected to be in Malaysia."
Riza Chalid is among nine new suspects in the crude oil corruption case announced by the Attorney General's Office on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
Abdul Qohar, Director of Investigation and Prosecution of Special Crimes at the AGO, stated that Riza's current status is a fugitive on the wanted list.
"The individual (MRC) is the beneficial owner of PT Orbit Terminal Merak (OTM). So, his whereabouts are currently suspected to be outside of Indonesia," Qohar said during a press conference in front of the Special Crimes Building of the Indonesian Attorney General's Office in Jakarta on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
Hammam Izzuddin and Nabiila Azzahra contributed to the report
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