Jakarta. Indonesian prosecutors are preparing a second summons for businessman Mohammad Riza Chalid, a suspect in a massive corruption case tied to state energy giant Pertamina’s crude oil and fuel trading operations, after he failed to appear for initial questioning last week.

Riza is at the center of one of Indonesia’s largest-ever graft scandals, with state losses estimated at Rp 285 trillion ($17.5 billion) from irregularities in oil procurement and fuel terminal leases between 2018 and 2023. Despite being named a suspect, the elusive tycoon remains out of reach, reportedly residing overseas.

“We are scheduling another summons for this week,” said Attorney General’s Office spokesman Anang Supriatna on Monday, adding that while the exact date is yet to be determined, updates will be shared publicly as the investigation progresses.

Riza ignored a previous summons on July 24 and provided no explanation for his absence. Prosecutors have not yet moved to forcibly bring him in, instead opting to follow due legal procedure by issuing proper written summonses. Anang said investigators are also coordinating with relevant institutions in tracking Riza’s whereabouts.

Although rumors have circulated that Riza may be residing in Malaysia, potentially under the protection of influential local networks, Indonesian authorities have not confirmed his exact location. Anti-corruption watchdog MAKI claimed to have traced him to Johor Bahru and alleged he may have marital ties to Malaysian royalty. Photographic evidence even shows Riza with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Sultan of Kedah in 2022, fueling speculation of political ties.

However, Anang declined to comment on such reports, adding that strategic details of the investigation cannot be disclosed. “We must respect diplomatic processes and the sovereignty of other nations,” he said.

Last week, Singaporean authorities officially informed Indonesia that Riza had not entered the city-state “for some time,” prompting prosecutors to widen their search to other neighboring countries.

Riza is one of nine suspects implicated in the ongoing Pertamina probe. Prosecutors accuse him of conspiring with officials at the state oil company to secure fuel terminal contracts at Merak port through two of his firms --Tangki Merak and Orbit Terminal Merak-- despite the lack of operational need. These contracts reportedly bypassed Pertamina’s internal governance protocols.

The AGO has also seized assets linked to Riza, including Rp 833 million in cash. Authorities hope the renewed summons will lead to his cooperation, but have warned that legal measures may escalate if he continues to evade questioning.

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