Law

Back in 2024 we reported that another case of alleged corruption had hit PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat dan Banten Tbk (BJBR). The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there are parties that have marked up advertising placement funds throughout the 2021 to 2023 budget years with an inflated amount reaching 100 percent. Reportedly, five individuals have been named as suspects, but we have not heard of the official announcement until last month, nearly a year after the initial news was circulated. Lately, the alleged involvement of Ridwan Kamil, the former governor of West Java at the time of the incident, has been growing, but there is something that has caught our attention more than the political issue. For the umpteenth time, there is the alleged involvement of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) in covering up the crime.  

Towards the end of 2022, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Sting Operation in East Java and arrested several parties involved in a case of alleged bribery. The KPK later announced four suspects, including the deputy speaker of the East Java DPRD, Sahat Tua Simandjuntak (Golkar). Last year, the KPK announced a development in the case and mentioned they have named over 20 new suspects in the case, including former members of the DPRD, but we have not heard anything else since then, until last week. The KPK continue the investigation and inquisition by searching several places including the Office of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) in East Java, resident of the former Chairman of the DPD, La Nyalla Mattalitti, and resident of the former Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (PDTT), Abdul Halim Iskandar. Abdul’s name attracts most of the attention because he is the brother of Muhaimin Iskandar.

Three years ago the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced an investigation into the shortage of cooking oil, which caused an unreasonable price increase. The investigation later managed to uncover a corruption scheme. Five individuals were named suspects and three groups of companies were implicated. Since the trial started, we had mentioned that the Government also had a portion of the blame in this situation, so it was not surprising that a few weeks ago the Panel of Judges decided to release the three groups of companies from criminal charges. Unfortunately, this decision turned out to be flawed. The AGO found a conspiracy and bribery mediated by the current Chief of the South Jakarta District Court and the parties involved were arrested during the weekend. Apart from the case, what we are witnessing now is a reminder for all parties to be more careful in choosing legal counsels.

The administration of President Prabowo Subianto openly involved many military elements in carrying out civil tasks in various sectors. On the one hand, this action cannot be justified because it is prone to abuse, but on the other hand we cannot deny that the headstrong parties can only be disciplined with force. This is what happened in the efforts to regulate the use of forest areas. In January 2025, long before the controversial Law on TNI was passed, President Prabowo issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 5/2025 concerning Forest Area Regulation, which in its implementation was carried out by a Task Force (Satuan Tugas – Satgas). The Chief of the Steering Committee of the Satgas is the Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

Paulus Tannos, the notorious suspect in the E-KTP graft case, continues to resist the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). After reportedly being arrested last January in Singapore, Paulus filed a lawsuit against the provisional arrest in the Singapore Court. The trial will only take place in June 2025 and the KPK is still trying to complete the required documents. If there are no obstacles, after this Paulus Tannos will be the first fugitive to be extradited by Singapore to Indonesia. For us, Paulus’ resistance is full of stories, let’s look at the case again.

It has been eight years since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) decided to investigate the allegations of corruption involving State-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jasa Indonesia (PT Jasindo). This is interesting to us because the KPK rarely investigates a series of corruption cases involving the same party in a very lengthy process. The commission named two new suspects back in August 2024 and the court proceedings are reaching the finish line as the prosecutors read their demands in the latest hearing. 

Back in 2022, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) started an investigation related to allegations of corruption and money laundering implicating the Duta Palma group’s palm oil operation in Indragiri Hulu regency, Riau. The corruption case was examined based on three warrants of inquisitions while the money laundering case was examined based on one warrant, all of which implicating one conglomerate, Surya Darmadi of Duta Palma Group. Surya has been found guilty under a very disappointing decision back in 2023 and the investigation into the group continues. After a lengthy process far from media coverage, this week court proceedings on the group started. 

After gaining support from the PTUN decisions, trials on the corporate suspects in the case of alleged corruption started. As mentioned, after nearly a year of proceedings far from media coverage, the verdict provided by the Panel of Judges surprised the public. For us, however, the decision is expected. Unfortunately, even though the legal considerations for the decisions may have been correct, it should be tainted by allegations of bribery. 

The legal dispute over the management of the State land where the Sultan Hotel & Residence stands is far from over. This situation is really interesting and unexpected. Although it has been repeatedly declared defeated in court, PT Indobuildco and its patron, Pontjo Sutowo, refused to surrender. This week, a new lawsuit was filed again at the Central Jakarta District Court.