It has been a while since the last time we reported on the geostationary orbit scandal and the alleged violations in satellite management cooperation at the Ministry of Defense. The management cooperation that was originally intended to support the Government’s performance was tarnished by poor communication and project implementation, which unfortunately is “normal” in Indonesia. This time, however, the problem had fatal consequences. The Indonesian Government was sued by its former partner in Singapore while at home the scandal developed into a corruption investigation. The defendants were convicted in 2023, but the problems for the Government were not over. Recently we learned that the former partner attempted to forcibly seize five official residences of the Indonesian Embassy in Paris in an effort to obtain compensation, but this is not the right way. 

Over four years ago we reported that the Panel of Judges of the Surabaya District Court granted the tort lawsuit filed by one Budi Said against PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk (ANTM). The State-owned company was ordered to compensate for the losses Budi claimed (Rp817.4 billion). Several months later the decision was annulled by the High Court, but then the Supreme Court decided in favor of Budi. In September 2023, the Assembly of Reconsideration (PK 1) decided to decline ANTM petition. Budi, therefore, won the legal battle, although ANTM refused to obey the court’s decision. ANTM filed another Reconsideration (PK 2), and the interesting part of the dispute is to see how the Supreme Court cannot even stick to their own decision. Recently, the petition was granted. 

In mid-2024 the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) began holding an Assembly Session in the Preliminary Investigation stage regarding the rarely heard allegation of conspiracy to obtain company secrets. This allegation implicates PT Chiyoda Kogyo Indonesia (PT CKI), subsidiary of Chiyoda Kogyo Co Ltd, manufacturer of tube deforming processing machinery, BECS Master. Recently, the KPPU has made their decision. 

Over three years ago, legal counsel of Vinmar Overseas Ltd, Budidjaja law firm, placed an announcement in the national newspaper, stating the planned execution of assets of its former partner, PT Sumi Asih/PT Sumi Asih Oleochemical Industry. The dispute was among the longest legal disputes in the country, involving various overseas jurisdictions. We already thought it’ll be difficult for the law firm to conduct the execution. We’re right. The highly complex legal dispute resulted in the determination of senior and prominent advocate, Tony Budidjaja, as a suspect on suspicion of false accusations. Tony faces his trial in October 2024 and has been found guilty. What is happening? 

Earlier last year an interesting “clash” happened. The Minister of Finance visited the AGO and brought along reports on four debtors of the LPEI, alleging fraudulent acts which caused losses to the State. The interesting part is, days after that, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stepped forward and announced that they had commenced investigation and inquisition into the similar allegation. At the time, the KPK looked like they wanted to steal the spotlight from the AGO, because we know it was the AGO who investigated similar allegations implicating LPEI several years ago. But the situation was quickly forgotten. In August 2024, another interesting situation happened, as the AGO decided to hand over some of the investigation to the KPK, in what the institution calls a synergy. Months later, recently, the KPK announced progress and named several suspects. 

Recently, Indonesia’s music industry has been shaken by various royalty disputes involving prominent musicians. These cases not only reflect the complexity of copyright management in the country but also highlight the urgent need to reform the royalty system to be fairer and more transparent.

Former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, who is implicated in alleged sugar imports corruption between 2015 and 2016, attended his first trial at the Central Jakarta District Court on Thursday (06/03). After the prosecutor (JPU) finished reading all of the indictments, Lembong’s legal representative Ari Yusuf Amir almost immediately raised objections in the consideration that the inquiry had been going on for too long. So, what are the indictments and the objections?