Category: Law

Towards the end of 2020, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Erick Thohir, announced his plan to dissolve 14 State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN). The plan was conveyed by Minister’s special staffer, Arya Sinulingga. Earlier this month, we learned that the Government through PT Perusahaan Pengelola Aset (PT PPA) had sued for the cancellation of the peace agreement reached in the debt restructuring process of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines (Persero). This week, Arya mentioned the plan to put several BUMNs through the same process. So now they share the same fate as Merpati.

Since early 2022, the Ministry of Investment (BKPM) has revoked thousands of Mining Business Permits (IUPs). Said move received a strong reaction. Many wondered why the BKPM led the process, not the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Some resorted to legal actions questioning the legal basis of the revocation. As of this week, 17 companies have challenged the decisions made between February 2022 and early April 2022. The three most recent lawsuits were registered on May 17, 2022, at the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN Jakarta)

In recent months, the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) has come under scrutiny for news that does not match its anti-corruption image. Boyamin Saiman, the MAKI coordinator, was later found to be leading a company owned by the family of a corruption suspect in Banjarnegara. Boyamin, who claims to act only as a family legal counsel, has already faced several examinations as a witness of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The latest examination session was done earlier this week.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced at a press conference held on May 17, 2022, that Lin Che Wei is the latest suspect in the cooking oil scandal. Lin is one of Indonesia’s leading economists and has proven himself useful in the administrations of two different Presidents.

Towards the end of last week, we reported on a rumor that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) haD named three people as suspects of corruption related to the approval of the principal permit for the construction of the Alfamidi branch in Ambon City, including the Mayor of Ambon, Richard Louhenapessy. The KPK officially announced the case later the same day and explained the chronology of the scheme. 

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named three people as suspects in a case of alleged corruption related to the approval of the principle permit for the construction of retail branches in Ambon City for the 2020 fiscal year. The suspects include the Mayor of Ambon, Richard Louhenapessy. A travel ban has been imposed on the suspects. The KPK has not yet made an official announcement, but local media outlets have reported this news since the beginning of this week.

Nearly three years have passed since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a corruption scheme in Muara Enim. The case brought down the Regent of Muara Enim Ahmad Yani (Democratic Party) and several other people, including the Chairman of DPRD Aries HB (PDIP). The case eventually ensnared over 30 people, including over 20 members and former members of the region’s DPRD. The latest trial started towards the end of 2021. This week, the prosecutors read their demands for the latest ten defendants in the case.

Police First Brigadier, commonly abbreviated as “Briptu,” is only a second-level non-commissioned officer (Bintara) in the hierarchy of the Indonesian National Police. Before 2001, this rank was called First Sergeant or “Sertu,” similar to the equivalent rank in the military. From a police rank, we can determine their educational background, and in this case, Bintara does not have much authority. But here we are with another scandal in the police institution. Briptu Hasbudi, who served in North Kalimantan, was named a suspect for allegedly running illegal mining and other illegal businesses. Is it possible for a Briptu to single-handedly operate illegal businesses? Ten years ago, we heard a similar but even more shocking story from West Papua, in the case that ensnared a petty police officer, Labora Sitorus.

Richard Joost (RJ) Lino, the former CEO of State-owned port management company PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Persero) (Pelindo II), was found guilty in 2021. But the court proceeding raises many questions, especially because the presiding judge provided a dissenting opinion. Not only that, we know that the indictment does not have a clear basis on State losses. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) filed an appeal. The attempt failed as the High Court upheld the previous decision. So, it is almost impossible for the KPK to recover the losses incurred.