It has been five years since the corruption scandal in Jambi was uncovered. Since then, dozens of parties have been convicted including the disgraced Governor, Zumi Zola. However, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is not done with the province. Recently, the KPK announced they had named 28 new suspects in the development of the case. What a mess.

The Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (Satgas BLBI) continue working despite a lot of resistance. In doing their job, the Satgas received help from other parties including State Receivable Affairs Committee (Panitia Urusan Piutang Negara – PUPN). However, despite its importance, PUPN have a weak authority. That said, the Government recently issued Government Regulation (PP) No. 28/2022 to strengthen the duties and authorities of PUPN. 

The policy changes to the Google Play Store that took effect from June 2022 have a bad impact. Several new provisions trigger research initiatives from the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU). Towards the end of last week, KPPU announced that it has officially started an investigation into allegations that Google and its subsidiaries have abused their dominant position, conditional sales, and committed discriminatory practices in the distribution of digital apps in Indonesia.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted five sting operations in 2021. One of them was the sting operation that ensnared the Regent of Kolaka Timur, Andi Merya Nur (NasDem). However, the problem in the regency is not that simple. The KPK dig deeper and announced a development of investigation. Soon, Andi Merya was named as a suspect in the second case for allegedly bribing an official at the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Regent’s attempt to take advantage of the Regional National Economic Recovery (PEN) funds is at the heart of the case. Towards the end of last week, Andi Merya trial on the second case started.

The former Regent of Tanah Bumbu who is also a suspect of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Mardani H Maming, faces a new lawsuit. In addition to Mardani, there are three parties who got sued in the same lawsuit related to a Mining Business License (IUP). The plaintiff asked for compensation of more than Rp4 trillion.

Within a week, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was reported to be handling three different cases of alleged corruption and ensnaring three regional leaders including the Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe (Demokrat). The KPK finally confirmed the news on Sept. 14, 2022 and stated that it had named Lukas as suspect. The KPK did not explain in more detail about the case that ensnared Lukas, but it mentioned the findings of an unusual transaction in Lukas’ bank account and mentioned the special autonomy funds (dana otonomi khusus – otsus). The last topic has always been our question for the past few years. 

Time flies. It has been over two years since the Ministry of Finance expanding the tax base by collecting Value Added Tax (VAT/PPN) for digital products in trading through the electronic system (PMSE). The number of collectors continues to increase, as per this week, there are already 127 companies with the same set of responsibilities. The Government has received more than Rp9 trillion tax value in total and had issue an amendment to the legal basis. 

Three months ago, the Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (Satgas BLBI) commenced another confiscation on assets they believed are related to Setiawan and Hendrawan Harjono of Bank Aspac. At the time, the companies who managed the said assets immediately objected to the decision, stating that they have nothing to do with the Harjonos. The two companies decided to fight the Satgas through legal channel and filed two lawsuits through the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN). 

In mid-August 2022, a senator from Gorontalo, Fadel Muhammad, was removed from his position as deputy chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) from elements of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). The reason for his removal, interestingly, was a...