Nader Thaher, Convict in Rp 35 Billion Graft Scandal, Arrested After 19 Years on the Run

Pekanbaru, xweb.biz.id – id –  Corruption fugitive Nader Thaher was apprehended this week, ending a nearly two-decade-long pursuit after being implicated in a high-profile Rp 35.9 billion graft scandal that caused massive financial losses to state-owned Bank Mandiri.

A joint task force from the Attorney General’s Office and the Riau Prosecutor’s Office successfully captured Nader on Thursday evening at an apartment in Ciracas, Bandung, bringing to a close one of Indonesia’s longest-running manhunts. Nader, who had been on the run since 2006, was flown to Riau to serve his prison sentence.

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The 2002 Corruption Case: Bank Mandiri’s Lost Millions

The case dates back to 2002 when Nader Thaher, through his company Siak Zamrud Pusaka, was involved in securing a loan from Bank Mandiri for an oil rig supply project in collaboration with Caltex Pacific Indonesia. The loan, however, turned out to be a fraudulent transaction, resulting in a loss of Rp 35.9 billion to the state-run bank.

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Prosecutors claimed that Nader had intentionally misused the loan to enrich himself and his associates. In 2006, the Pekanbaru District Court sentenced Nader to 14 years in prison for his role in the scam. The Riau High Court later reduced the sentence by half during an appeal. Despite the ruling, Nader evaded law enforcement by fleeing the country and remaining on the run for almost two decades.

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Riau Chief Prosecutor Akmal Abbas, who had long pursued Nader’s capture, expressed relief at the fugitive’s arrest, stating, “Nader was the longest-running fugitive I’ve ever known. My message to other fugitives: there is no place to hide. Sooner or later, you will be arrested.”

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Nader’s Evading Tactics: Changing Identities and Residing Abroad

Nader’s efforts to escape justice were far-reaching. After his 2006 conviction, he managed to evade authorities by changing his identity and acquiring a new ID card. In 2014, he secured a new identity in Cianjur, under the name H Tony, with a different birthdate.

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Authorities discovered that Nader had frequently changed residences, including stints living abroad, to avoid capture. “When we first encountered him, there was some doubt because his identity had changed,” Akmal explained. “However, our investigation eventually confirmed his true identity despite his new appearance and altered documents.”

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For years, Nader lived in hiding, relocating multiple times across Indonesia and overseas, maintaining a low profile to avoid drawing attention to himself. However, after receiving credible intelligence, authorities were able to track his movements, leading them to his final arrest in Bandung.

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The Final Arrest

In an operation led by the Riau Prosecutor’s Office, Nader was finally arrested at an apartment in Ciracas, Bandung, on the evening of February 13, 2025. His capture was the culmination of years of investigation, and prosecutors took no time in flying him back to Riau for sentencing.

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Prosecutors have made it clear that the fugitive’s arrest will serve as a strong reminder that no one, no matter how far they run or how much time has passed, can avoid justice. “Nader’s arrest signifies that corruption cases will not be forgotten, and fugitives will eventually face the consequences of their actions,” Akmal Abbas added.

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A Long-Delayed Justice

Despite the prolonged efforts to capture him, Nader’s arrest has been celebrated as a victory for Indonesia’s anti-corruption efforts. It comes as part of a broader national push to address high-profile corruption cases, which continue to plague the country’s public sector.

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The 2002 case involving Nader Thaher was one of the most significant financial scandals of its time, and the long-awaited closure is seen as a step toward restoring public faith in Indonesia’s judicial system. With the arrest, the Indonesian public is hopeful that justice for victims of corruption will be served, regardless of how long it takes.

Looking Ahead: The Battle Against Corruption

Indonesia has made significant strides in recent years to combat corruption at all levels of government. The arrest of Nader Thaher serves as a reminder that authorities will pursue corruption suspects relentlessly, no matter how long it takes. The country’s commitment to tackling graft remains strong, as demonstrated by the high-profile cases that have been addressed by law enforcement and prosecutors in recent years.

As Indonesia continues its fight against corruption, the authorities are facing increasing pressure to deliver justice swiftly and effectively. This arrest, one of the country’s most high-profile fugitive captures, signals a renewed focus on accountability in the public sector, with anti-corruption agencies bolstering efforts to track down remaining fugitives and criminals.

Despite Nader’s evasion tactics, this case sets a precedent for the authorities, reinforcing the message that even those who think they can escape justice will ultimately be brought to account. The capture of Nader Thaher, after 19 years of running, stands as a victory for the nation in its continued fight against corruption and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors.

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