DENPASAR – An Australian businessman and investor, Julian Petroulas, has filed an official police report and submitted a formal letter to the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.
The move comes in response to what Petroulas claims is a bribery scheme and corrupt practices surrounding a land dispute involving a property he leased in Bali.
Petroulas has accused a French national, Philippe Claude Millieret, of being involved in efforts to influence the legal proceedings through bribery. According to his legal team, a down payment of IDR 2.5 billion was allegedly made to a military official as part of a larger IDR 5 billion deal intended to sway the outcome of the case.
The civil lawsuit has been filed at the Denpasar District Court under case number 1606/Pdt.G/2024/PN Dps. Petroulas also claims that additional demands were made for a further IDR 8 billion to ensure a favorable verdict.
Through his attorney, Indra Triantoro, Petroulas emphasized his continued faith in the Indonesian legal system, stating, “We’re not asking for special treatment. We just want fair, neutral, and transparent justice.”
As part of his legal push, Petroulas has also sent formal reports to the Attorney General’s Office and the Judicial Commission, urging oversight to ensure due process.
Petroulas previously made headlines in late 2024 when he was denied entry into Indonesia by the Directorate General of Immigration. The entry ban followed the publication of a YouTube video in which he documented the 1.1-hectare property he leased in Bali—sparking debate over foreign investment ethics and land use regulations.
This case presents a major test for Indonesia’s justice system, particularly in safeguarding legal integrity amid rising foreign investment. Observers both domestic and international are watching closely as the proceedings unfold.