Former President Director of PT Metra Digital Investama (MDI) Donald Surjana Wihardja, along with ex-President Director of PT BRI Ventura Investama (BVI) or BRI Ventures Nicko Widjaja, former VP of Investment MDI Ventures Aldi Adrian Hartanto, and ex-Investment PT BRI Ventura Investama William Gozali, are scheduled to attend their plea hearings today, June 3, in connection with the high-profile TaniHub corruption case. These critical proceedings for the four defendants in the alleged investment corruption scandal at TaniHub are set to commence at 10:00 AM WIB at the Central Jakarta District Court.
From his detention facility, Nicko Widjaja penned a poignant letter requesting support for his plea hearing. “I ask for the support of all my friends so that the defense can be presented properly, based on existing facts, and heard in its entirety,” he wrote in the letter dated May 26. This message was subsequently uploaded to his Instagram account, @nickowidjaja, which is now managed by his legal team and family. Beyond the immediate legal challenges, Nicko Widjaja expressed a broader hope, adding, “Outside of the case I am facing, I hope that what is happening does not diminish our spirit. Never stop building for Indonesia.” Similarly, Aldi Adrian Hartanto has also sought public support for his plea hearing today, with a message from his wife shared on Instagram, @syarifandr, stating, “Mama (Aldi’s wife) hopes many people will come to hear Papa’s defense and also offer support.”
Prosecution’s Demands
The prosecution has indicted six defendants, accusing them of jointly committing criminal acts of corruption in the management of investments within PT Tani Group Indonesia (TGI), PT TaniHub Indonesia (THI), and PT Tani Supply Indonesia (TSI) between 2019 and 2023. This complex case involves significant state losses, estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of rupiah, as determined by an audit conducted by the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).
Six defendants in the alleged TaniHub corruption case (ChatGPT, Katadata/Desy Setyowati)
Specifically, former President Director of MDI Ventures Donald Surjana Wihardja is charged with committing corruption alongside several other parties, including Aldi Adrian Hartanto, Ivan Arie Sustiawan, Edison TPL Tobing, and the corporations PT TGI, PT THI, and PT TSI. MDI Ventures, a subsidiary of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom), operates in the venture capital sector. The indictment states that Donald’s actions resulted in state losses amounting to US$20 million, equivalent to approximately Rp 290.92 billion, based on BPKP Audit Report Number PE.03.03/SR/S-976/D6/03/2025, dated November 21, 2025. In the demands read on Thursday, May 21, 2026, prosecutors sought a 12-year prison sentence and a Rp 1 billion fine for Donald. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional 190 days imprisonment. The prosecution affirmed that Donald was deemed to have committed corruption jointly, as per the primary indictment.
Prosecutor’s indictment in the TaniHub case (ChatGPT, Katadata/Desy Setyowati)
The second defendant, Aldi Adrian Hartanto, former VP of Investment at MDI Ventures, is likewise accused of causing state financial losses of US$20 million, or around Rp 290.92 billion, based on the same BPKP audit. During their demands on May 21, 2026, prosecutors requested the panel of judges to impose a 12-year prison sentence on Aldi, along with a Rp 1 billion fine, subsidised by 190 days imprisonment. The prosecution also asserted that Aldi was found guilty of jointly committing corruption, aligning with the primary indictment.
Following this, the next defendant is Nicko Widjaja, former President Director of BRI Ventura Investama. He is charged with committing corruption in concert with William Gozali, Ivan Arie Sustiawan, Edison TPL Tobing, and the TaniHub Group corporations. The indictment specifies that the state incurred losses of US$5 million, equivalent to Rp 73.3 billion, due to their actions. In the demands presented on Thursday, May 21, 2026, prosecutors sought an 11-year prison sentence for Nicko Widjaja and a Rp 1 billion fine, subsidised by 190 days imprisonment. The prosecution maintained that Nicko Widjaja was deemed to have committed corruption jointly, in line with the primary indictment.
Former Vice President of Investment at PT BRI Ventura Investama, William Gozali, is charged alongside Nicko Widjaja, Ivan Arie Sustiawan, Edison TPL Tobing, and the TaniHub Group corporations. Prosecutors allege that his involvement in the case resulted in state losses of US$5 million, or Rp 73.3 billion, according to the BPKP audit. In the demands issued on May 21, 2026, William Gozali was prosecuted for a 9-year prison sentence and a Rp 1 billion fine, with a subsidiary term of 190 days imprisonment. The prosecution declared that William Gozali was assessed to have jointly committed corruption, as per the primary indictment.
Meanwhile, Ivan Arie Sustiawan, who previously served as Director of PT Tani Group Indonesia, President Director of PT TaniHub Indonesia, and Commissioner of PT Tani Supply Indonesia, is charged alongside Edison TPL Tobing, Donald Surjana Wihardja, Aldi Adrian Hartanto, Nicko Widjaja, William Gozali, and the TaniHub Group corporations. The indictment claims that the state losses amounted to US$25 million, equivalent to Rp 364.22 billion. In the demands read on May 11, 2026, prosecutors stated that Ivan was deemed to have committed both corruption and money laundering jointly. Ivan was sought for a 12-year prison sentence and a Rp 1 billion fine, subsidised by 190 days imprisonment. Additionally, prosecutors demanded supplementary penalties, including the payment of Rp 3.26 billion in restitution. Should this not be paid within one month of the verdict becoming legally binding, his assets could be seized and auctioned. If his assets prove insufficient, the penalty would convert to an additional 6 years imprisonment.
The final defendant, Edison TPL Tobing, former Director of PT Tani Group Indonesia and Finance Director of PT TaniHub Indonesia, faces charges alongside Ivan Arie Sustiawan, Donald Surjana Wihardja, Aldi Adrian Hartanto, Nicko Widjaja, William Gozali, and the TaniHub Group corporations. Prosecutors assert that his actions led to state losses of US$25 million, or Rp 364.22 billion. In the demands read on May 11, 2026, Edison was sought for a 10-year prison sentence and a Rp 1 billion fine, subsidised by 190 days imprisonment. Prosecutors also declared that Edison was deemed to have jointly committed corruption and money laundering. Edison was further sought to pay Rp 1.06 billion in restitution. If not paid within one month of the verdict becoming legally binding, his assets could be seized and auctioned. If his assets are insufficient, the penalty would convert to an additional 5 years imprisonment.
Nicko Widjaja’s Legal Counsel Reveals Courtroom Facts
As quoted from its company Instagram account, the Hotma Sitompoel Law Firm outlined five accusations from the Public Prosecutor (JPU) against Nicko Widjaja:
- BVI allegedly failed to follow investment procedures.
- BVI allegedly benefited THG and/or specific parties.
- Nicko Widjaja’s actions allegedly caused state financial losses.
- BVI allegedly failed to monitor and control the TaniHub Group.
- Corruption was allegedly committed jointly with other parties.
However, the Hotma Sitompoel Law Firm presented five compelling courtroom facts challenging these accusations. Firstly, comprehensive stages of screening, due diligence, legal and compliance review, investment committee approval, and layered endorsements were indeed followed during BVI’s investment in TaniHub. Secondly, there was no factual evidence presented in court to demonstrate any flow of personal funds, kickbacks, or gratuities to Nicko Widjaja. Thirdly, the alleged investment losses remain “unrealized” as BVI has not yet exited its position, and the shares are still held. Consequently, the value of these purported losses must be viewed within the context of an incomplete investment. Fourthly, BVI actively conducted monitoring and control over THG, commensurate with its role as a minority shareholder, holding a 3.4% stake. Finally, courtroom evidence indicated no receipt of personal funds, no involvement of Nicko Widjaja in the alleged acts of corruption, nor any conflict of interest with related parties.
“Yet, investment decisions, which inherently carry risks, are being disposed of as criminal acts of corruption,” stated the Hotma Sitompoel Law Firm on its Instagram account on Saturday, May 23. “When business decisions begin to be treated as criminal offenses, what is at stake is not just one individual, but the courage of professionals to make decisions,” the statement further emphasized, highlighting a broader concern for the business community.
The Hotma Sitompoel Law Firm also revealed significant courtroom facts against the demands read by the JPU on May 21, 2026. Firstly, there was no evidence of mens rea or malicious intent. Secondly, no bribery practices or fund flows benefiting the defendant were proven. Thirdly, no conflict of interest was established. Fourthly, there was no legitimate evidence regarding fictitious receivables as argued by the public prosecutor. Lastly, the entire investment process was carried out in strict accordance with BRI Ventures’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“Nevertheless, the defendant (Nicko Widjaja) is being sought for an 11-year prison sentence and a Rp 1 billion fine,” the firm stated, underscoring their position. The prosecution’s demands are deemed inconsistent with the courtroom facts, disproportionate, and legally and logically unreasonable. “Furthermore, the JPU was unable to prove elements of unlawful acts, self-enrichment, or abuse of authority,” the firm concluded.
Katadata.co.id has obtained permission from the Hotma Sitompoel Law Firm to quote their social media post. While the plea hearings for Nicko Widjaja and Donald Surjana Wihardja are scheduled for today, June 3, those for Ivan Arie Sustiawan and Edison TPL Tobing are slated for June 4.
Summary
Six defendants, including former executives from BRI Ventures and MDI Ventures, are currently facing trial for their alleged involvement in a major investment corruption scandal at TaniHub. Prosecutors have accused these individuals of jointly committing corruption that resulted in state financial losses totaling hundreds of billions of rupiah between 2019 and 2023. Consequently, the prosecution has recommended prison sentences ranging from 9 to 12 years for the various defendants involved in the case.
In response to these charges, legal teams for defendants like Nicko Widjaja argue that the allegations unfairly criminalize standard business decisions. Defense counsel maintains that there is no evidence of personal enrichment, bribery, or malicious intent, noting that the investment procedures were conducted in accordance with company protocols. As the plea hearings commence, the defense aims to challenge the prosecution’s findings by highlighting a lack of factual evidence regarding illegal acts or conflicts of interest.