The trials of the defendants involved in the PT Asuransi Sosial Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia (PT ASABRI) corruption scandal continues. In contrast to the revelation of the case that seemed so extraordinary, the trials went along quietly. The matters examined...

The case of corruption in Kolaka Timur was uncovered after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted sting operations in 2021. Among those arrested at the time was then Regent of Kolaka Timur, Andi Merya Nur (NasDem). From the operation, we learned that the problem in the regency is not that simple, so 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. Andi Merya trial on the second case started in September 2022. The prosecutors read their demands this week after only less than two months of proceedings. 

State prosecutors demand death sentence for Benny Tjokrosaputro in the investment scandal at the military and police insurance firm Asabri, which allegedly caused state losses of Rp22.7 trillion. 

Mintardjo Halim of the troubled PT Sandang Rakyat Textiel (Sandratex) had a tiring year. The senior businessman has had to deal with legal problems since 2021. The Central Jakarta District Court alone recorded seven lawsuits filed by or against Mintardjo and Sandratex, the latest lawsuit being filed two weeks ago by Tunggul Prajitno Halim, Mintardjo’s younger brother.

Earlier this year, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation at the Surabaya District Court. Judge Itong Isnaeni Hidayat, a registrar of the same court, and a legal counsel were reportedly arrested. On Jan. 21, 2022, the KPK named the three as suspects but the inquisition process and the court proceedings continue far from media coverage. This week, Itong et al are found guilty.

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics has an institution called the Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI). Although it has a very important role for the distribution and inclusivity of telecommunication technology throughout Indonesia and for the last ten years it has managed trillions of rupiah in funds, not many know its achievements. Even in our records there are only many failed projects in the past. Several months ago, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) finally announced that they are investigating a case of alleged corruption related to BAKTI project. Next week, the AGO said they will conducted a case reconstruction while the case allegedly caused trillions of State losses. 

Anies Baswedan ended his term in office a couple of weeks ago and Heru Budi Hartono, chief of the Presidential Secretariat and an admirable former bureaucrat of the Jakarta provincial office, was appointed as acting Jakarta governor. Anies’ departure did not attract much attention, but Heru’s appointment caused various reactions. Many are nostalgic for his achievements during the term of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and Heru immediately proved his worth. Within a few days of taking office, Heru immediately prioritized several projects that Anies failed to complete, including continuing the Sodetan Ciliwung project which had been stalled for over six years.

PT Tehate Putra Tunggal (PT TPT), a partner of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) (PT PLN), and its subsidiary PT Trimaten Gemilang (Trimaten), escaped bankruptcy back in 2017, after they were able to resolve their period of Suspension of Debts Payments (PKPU) peacefully. Since then, the companies have kept a low profile and almost no activity has been reported, until this year. Several months ago a bankruptcy lawsuit was filed against the companies and its owners. The lawsuit was withdrawn, but a new lawsuit was registered recently. 

PT Amarta Karya (Persero), a State-owned construction company, is having a difficult year. Earlier this year the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced their new investigation into the case of alleged corruption in the company, while Amarta’s vendors and business partners have been trying to force the company to restructure its debts through the PKPU process. On Oct. 19, 2022, there are three new PKPU lawsuit filed against Amarta Karya.

Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (BLBI), a task force under Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s supervision to recover funds from some businessmen related to 1997-1998 financial crisis, continue giving pressures. The Satgas recently seized assets located in Yogyakarta and East Java. Meanwhile, the Satgas also still trying to auction problematic assets that are unlikely to attract buyers.