Law

Over the years, the South Jakarta District Court has been able to maintain its reputation as a peculiar court. Almost all prestigious and irrational cases are heard by them, but this also means that all problems gather there. In a humorous manner, we have witnessed the parties in the case chasing the judge in the courthouse, in another matter, this court has shaken the Indonesian legal world through pre-trial decisions that are often considered to favor corruptors. Most recently, the same court annulled the suspect status in a case of alleged corruption determined by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) against the notorious Sahbirin Noor, former governor of South Kalimantan. But before Sahbirin, or Paman Birin as he was familiarly known, many had managed to avoid the law through pre-trials.

Earlier this year, the new leaders of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) published their initiative to achieve their work targets which consisted of three main sectors, namely energy (oil and gas), digital markets, and food security. In terms of digital markets, as we all know, prior to the appointment of the new leaders, the KPPU has started an investigation into Google. Then, the new leaders announced that it had completed an investigation into Shopee. The trial on the allegations against Shopee started in May 2024 and interestingly Shopee admitted to their wrongdoings. In July 2024, the reported parties signed a consent decree and stayed true to their words. Towards the end of last week, nearly four months after promising a behavioral change, the KPPU announced that the reported parties had fulfilled their obligations.

Although its term of office is almost over and the administration of the Government has been transferred to President Prabowo Subianto, the Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (Satgas BLBI) continues to work in summoning obligors who can be traced. This month, the Satgas published two summons for “small” obligors.

The investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) into the case of alleged manipulation of sugar imports commenced in around 2023 and we have been following the process since then. The investigation process then developed into several criminal allegations, including the case which recently ensnared former Minister of Trade, Thomas Trikasih Lembong. We know that in terms of strategic commodities, the sugar industry is prone to legal problems, that said, what the public is witnessing now is actually not surprising and along with the revelation of the case of alleged corruption, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) decided to publish a reminder.

The former Regent of Tanah Bumbu, Mardani Maming, who is former treasurer of Nahdlatul Ulama (the largest Moslem organization in Indonesia), was named graft suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in 2022. A series of amusing events followed the legal process before Mardani was found guilty in early 2023. Mardani, however, refused to surrender and filed for a Reconsideration. During the process, it looks like Mardani gained support from various legal experts, however, it was not enough. This week, Mardani’s petition was granted, but the Supreme Court only reduced his prison time by two years. The rest of the sentence remains the same.

Last week, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) shocked the public after they announced an investigation into alleged abuse of authority and manipulation of sugar import quotas and named two suspects, including former Minister of Trade, Thomas Trikasih Lembong. Although the AGO has tried to provide an explanation, many questions have arisen, among the many officials, former Ministers, even serving Ministers, who have also been suspected of corruption, why is only Tom Lembong a suspect? What about the others?

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) issued their official statement regarding the investigation into alleged manipulation of sugar imports one day after they made the surprising suspects announcement. In the release, the AGO explained several problems which lead to the investigation and inquisition. Let’s look at the allegations in detail.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) began an investigation into alleged manipulation of sugar imports some time ago, circa 2022/2023. This process is quite interesting because initially the investigation was said to be related to the provision of sugar import permits by the Ministry of Trade during the period 2015 to 2023. Later, however, entering 2024, the investigation into the case turned into an inquisition of yet another official of the Directorate General of Custom and Excise (DJBC) in Pekanbaru. But who would have thought, the case that was announced was only a part. The AGO continued to investigate other allegations and this week, finally, the case at the Ministry of Trade was escalated to the inquisition stage and two parties were named suspects, including former Minister of Trade, Tom Lembong.