Corruption case of Riza Chalid Family tests Prabowo (1)
Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named seven suspects, including members of Riza Chalid’s family, in corruption case at state oil and gas company Pertamina. They are accused of causing state losses of more than US$10 billion in the period of 2018-2023 from oil deals with Pertamina, one of key members of the newly launched sovereign wealth fund Danantara.
Social Media Restrictions for Minors
Indonesia is planning to implement social media restrictions for minors. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has formed a special team called “Tim Penguatan Regulasi Perlindungan Anak di Ranah Digital”, tasked with strengthening regulations as well as increasing supervisions in regard to the internet safety for children. It is targeted that the new regulations will be ready within two months.
Baznas & the Free Meal Program
The Constitutional Court has once again become the stage for a legal battle regarding Law Number 23 of 2011 on Zakat (a form of almsgiving) Management. The lawsuit, filed by Yayasan Dompet Dhuafa Republika, Perkumpulan Forum Zakat Jakarta, and Arif Rahmadi Haryono, challenges several articles that are perceived as detrimental to civil society’s role in managing zakat. This judicial review has gained significant attention, particularly with the involvement of high-profile legal figures Bambang Widjojanto and Denny Indrayana as the petitioners’ legal representatives.
Political Show: Dismantling Illegal Sea Fence in Tangerang
Thousands of personnel, consisting of the Indonesian Navy, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), and fishermen, were deployed on Wednesday (22/01) to dismantle the 30-km illegal fence off Tangerang coast in Banten, West Java. This operation was a direct order from President Prabowo Subianto and attended by many important figures, including some ministers, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali, Director General of PSDKP KPP Pung Nugroho Saksono, as well as Chairperson of Commission IV of the House of Representatives Titiek Soeharto.
Talk the Talk on Corruption Eradication
President Prabowo Subianto openly admitted about worrying state of corruption in the country in his speech at the World’s Government Summit on Thursday (Feb 13). “We remain resolute in eradicate corruption and mismanagement…Our actions have proven that no one is above the law…those untouchables should now held accountable,” Prabowo declared.
Isa Rachmatarwata & the Jiwasraya scandal
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has named Isa Rachmatarwata, currently director general of State Asset at Ministry of Finance, suspect in corruption case of the troubled state insurance firm Jiwasraya. Isa is named suspect for his role as then head of insurance bureau at the Capital Market Supervisory Agency (Bapepam) in the period of 2016-2012 (before the agency merged into the Financial Services Authority/OJK).
Updates on the Illegal Sea Fence
The process of dismantling the sea fence in Tangerang has recently reached its halfway point. As reported on Sunday (26/01), 15.5 kilometres of the fence that stretched across Tanjung Pasir, Kronjo and Mauk have been knocked down, leaving around 14.6 kilometres to work on. Some certificates—SHM and SHGB—have also been annulled by Minister Nusron Wahid. On the other hand, there is not much development regarding the investigation of the alleged perpetrators.
Achmad Muchtasyar: Alleged Corruption?
Director General of Oil and Gas Achmad Muchtasyar has been temporarily deactivated as of February 10, 2025 after serving for barely a month. This sudden decision was confirmed by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung, who stated that the ESDM Ministry had conducted an internal evaluation leading up to it. The reasons why remain undisclosed, but the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) was reported to have searched the office of the Directorate General of Oil and Gas (Ditjen Migas) right before the news of Achmad’s sudden deactivation broke.
Tangerang Sea Fence: The Scapegoats
Recently, on Thursday (30/01), eight officials of Tangerang Regency Land Office have been removed for their involvement in the issuance of building use rights and ownership certificates in Tangerang waters. It is also reported that the head of Kohod Village is now being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office due to corruption allegations regarding the same issue. While this might seem like a legit development, are we sure these people are the main actors that deserve all the spotlight?
Extradition of Paulus Tannos
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has reportedly arrested businessman Paulus Tannos, a fugitive in the e-KTP corruption scandal, in Singapore. Relevant authorities are now working on potential extradition of Paulus from Singapore.