Day: January 17, 2024

The devastating 2015 forest fires started a new journey in the Jokowi administration’s battle against the perpetrators who are not only individuals but also companies. However, we know that the Government’s struggle has lasted since even before 2015. Among the many perpetrators who were brought to court, there was PT Jatim Jaya Perkasa (PT JJP) which was deemed responsible for the fire on its concession in 2013. The company and manager of the estate were found guilty several years ago in two different courts, but until now the company refuses to comply with the court’s decision. Instead, the company tried to sue Bambang Hero Saharjo, a professor at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) who is an expert in Indonesian fire forensics. Bambang was the one who provided evidence which eventually prosecuted PT JJP. This is the second time the company has tried to sue Bambang Hero.

Last year, an advocate, Yasin Djamaluddin, filed a petition for Judicial Review of Law No. 16/2004 concerning the Prosecutors’ Office to the Constitutional Court. Yasin Djamaluddin asked for the prosecutors’ authority on investigation and inquisition of corruption cases to be removed. This lawsuit is interesting, not only because it was filed when the prosecutors’ offices under the lead of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) was in their prime and exposed various allegations of major corruption cases, but also because Yasin acted as legal counsel for several graft suspects. This week, after nearly a year of examination, the petition was denied.