TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A police investigation into illegal coal mining in East Kalimantan uncovered new facts. Former chief of the Police Profession and Security Division Ferdy Sambo is alleged to have ordered his men to investigate the generals who were backing the illegal mining.

It is suspected that Sambo’s order followed the naming of coal tycoon Erwin Rarhardjo as a suspect in the ownership of an illegal mine. Erwin is a friend of Sambo and he claims to know who is backing the illegal mining in Kalimantan. One of them is Ismail Bolong, a police intelligence officer at Samarinda Police who is also a coal businessman.

Ismail appeared in a testimonial video claiming that he routinely paid bribes to East Kalimantan police officers and to generals at National Police Headquarters to protect the illegal mining. Ismail claimed to have paid Rp6 billion to chief of the Police Criminal Investigation Department Comr. Gen. Agus Andrianto in 2021.

The police detained Ismail Bolong on December 6. Our cover story this week highlights the role of Ferdy Sambo behind the investigation into the illegal mining that led to conflicts between the generals, following the naming of Ferdy Sambo as the main suspect in the killing of his adjutant, Brig. Yosua Hutabarat in July.

Who are the police generals backing the illegal mining Kalimantan? Enjoy the magazine.

Mustafa Silalahi

Main Editor

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From behind bars, Ferdy Sambo speaks about his role in the conflicts between the generals over illegal mining.

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Ending the Wars within Our Police

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