Kabar Gemerlap - In a high-stakes corruption trial at Surabaya's Tipikor Court on October 23, 2026, witness Nurkholis revealed conflicting accounts of illicit funds tied to Jatim's ESDM corruption case. His testimony centered on the allocation of Rp 500 million from Ony Setiawan and Rp 30 million from Ertika Dinawati, contradicting the indictment's assertion of Rp 687.5 million in total bribes.
During the hearing chaired by Judge Cokia Ana Pontia Oppusunggu, Nurkholis admitted receiving the funds while serving as Head of the DLH Jatim. He stated the Rp 30 million from Ertika was used to purchase paint for a mosque, while Ony's contribution funded construction in Bulak Banteng, Surabaya. Notably, he claimed both sums had been returned via Kejati Jatim, though this did not absolve him of legal scrutiny.
The trial implicated three defendants: former ESDM Jatim head Aris Mukiyono, Hermawan (former head of the groundwater exploitation task force), and Ertika Dinawati (former head of geology and groundwater). Ertika allegedly provided Rp 30 million at her residence and Rp 25 million at the ESDM office, a claim Nurkholis denied.
Judge Oppusunggu highlighted contradictions in witness statements, particularly regarding Hermawan's alleged involvement in pungli practices. While Nurkholis retracted prior claims, the indictment accused him of accepting Rp 687.5 million—Rp 552.5 million from Ony and Rp 135 million from Ertika—discrepancies that will be resolved through evidence.
Aris Mukiyono faces more severe charges, with the indictment alleging he received Rp 4.09 billion through systemic pungli in mining and groundwater permits. Prosecutors detailed how permits were delayed unless bribes of Rp 5 million to Rp 200 million were paid, leveraging his authority over OSS processing.
As the trial progresses, the court will assess whether Nurkholis's return of funds negates criminal liability, a question that hinges on corroborating evidence. Meanwhile, the case underscores systemic vulnerabilities in Jatim's ESDM, with officials now serving in different capacities—including Nurkholis as DLH head—raising questions about accountability.