Month: October 2022

The Kayan Cascade Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) located in North Kalimantan is said to be the largest hydropower plant in Southeast Asia because it will use an area of more than 2,600 hectares and five dams to generate 9,000 MW of electricity. The development of this hydropower plant has been discussed since 2011, with initial cooperation with investors from China. However, there is not much news about the progress of the project until in early October 2022, when the initiator of the PLTA Kayan, PT Kayan Hydro Energy (PT KHE) signed a construction agreement with Sumitomo Corporation. PT KHE at the time claimed to already have the necessary permits, but towards the end of last week, PT KHE filed two lawsuits against the Minister of Agrarian Affairs or the Head of the National Land Agency.

Towards the end of 2021, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested several parties, including the then Regent of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing), Andi Putra, following a sting operation in Riau. The Regent is the sixth regional leader the KPK has arrested in 2021 and yet another Golkar politician embroiled in corruption. The investigation and inquisition process were conducted far from media coverage. Andi has even been declared guilty several months ago, but the KPK continue developing the case. Last week, the KPK announced their development of investigation and named three suspects.