Interpol has officially issued a Red Notice for Indonesian oil tycoon Mohammad Riza Chalid, escalating the hunt for the man at the center of a staggering $17 billion (Rp 285 trillion) corruption scandal. The notice, issued on January 23, 2026, and confirmed by Indonesian authorities this week, marks a major turning point in one of Southeast Asia's largest graft investigations involving the state-owned energy giant, Pertamina.
The Fugitive: Who is the "Gasoline Godfather"?
Mohammad Riza Chalid, 66, known widely by the moniker "The Gasoline Godfather," is a dominant figure in Indonesia’s oil trading sector. Once considered untouchable, Riza is now wanted across 196 member countries of Interpol.
He is accused of orchestrating a massive scheme involving:
Money Laundering: Funneling illicit funds through complex networks.
Lease Manipulation: Rigging contracts for fuel terminals at the Port of Merak.
Price Fixing: Conspiring to import crude oil from overseas suppliers at inflated prices rather than sourcing it domestically as required by law.
The Scandal: A $17 Billion Blow to the State
The Indonesian Attorney General's Office (AGO) alleges that between 2018 and 2023, Riza and his accomplices systematically defrauded the state.
The Scheme: Riza, along with his son Muhammad Kerry Adrianto Riza and high-ranking Pertamina officials, allegedly bypassed domestic regulations to secure lucrative import deals.
The Cost: The AGO estimates the total loss to the Indonesian state at a colossal $17 billion.
The Network: 18 individuals have been named suspects so far, including senior executives at Pertamina and its subsidiaries.
The Manhunt Intensifies
Indonesian authorities have been closing the net on Riza for months:
Passport Revoked: His Indonesian passport was cancelled in October 2025.
Red Notice Active: As of late January 2026, law enforcement agencies worldwide are requested to locate and provisionally arrest him.
Whereabouts: While authorities stated, "We can't specify exactly where he is, but we already know," previous reports suggested he may have fled to Malaysia or Singapore.
Official Statement
"This red notice is a global alert to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. The state will not stop until justice is served." — Untung Widyatmoko, Secretary of Interpol's Indonesia National Central Bureau.
Key Takeaways (Fast Facts)
Suspect: Mohammad Riza Chalid ("Gasoline Godfather").
Charges: Corruption, Money Laundering, Fraud.
Damages: $17 Billion (approx. Rp 285 Trillion).
Status: Interpol Red Notice Issued (Wanted in 196 countries).
Accomplices: Includes his son and top Pertamina officials.
