It has been over a year since the provision of a mining operation license on Sangihe Island in North Sulawesi has become a controversy. At first, we noted some misinformation circulating, which aggrieved the public. As expected, several representatives of the affected residents filed a lawsuit to the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN Jakarta) against the decision given to the mining company soon after. After nearly a year of proceedings, the lawsuit was rejected in April 2022. However, a different group filed a different lawsuit to the PTUN Manado, North Sulawesi. Last week, the lawsuit was granted, but question remains.

For many years we have seen how many parties try to fly PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines, the State-Owned (BUMN) airlines, once again. Hope after hope emerged, but these efforts must eventually stop. This week, Merpati was officially declared bankrupt, after the court decided to cancel the peace agreement the company had agreed with its creditors four years ago. But can this decision solve all problems?

Over the past year, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has investigated allegation of corruption in Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan that occurred circa 2011. In this crime scheme there are allegations of involvement of regional official and a deceased conglomerate. However, the investigation process cannot satisfy all parties. In recent months, calls for development of investigation on the then Regent of Tanah Bumbu, Mardani Maming, have begun to increase. Recently, although the aforementioned case was investigated by the AGO, Mardani was instead summoned by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Does it have anything to do with the case being investigated by the AGO?

Shipping company Meratus Line, one of the largest in the country, published a quarter page announcement at Kompas, the largest newspaper in Indonesia, on Tuesday (June 7) related to its status in the temporary debt payment suspension (PKPU Sementara/PKPUS). Commercial court of Surabaya District Court in East Java has on May 31, 2022 declared Meratus Line in PKPUS. What happened?

The corruption scandal related to PT Asuransi Sosial Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia (PT ASABRI) is ongoing as the trial of Teddy Tjokrosaputro continues. Teddy, brother of convict Benny Tjokrosaputro, denied all allegations thrown at him. Separately, the Jakarta High Court provided disappointing decisions and reduce the sentences of four former executives previously given by the Corruption Court. A different decision, however, was given for convict Jimmy Sutopo and Lukman Purnomosidi. The Panel of Appeal decided to aggravate their punishment.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) ‘s third sting operation in 2022 tells us that people seldom learn. The operation conducted back in January 2022 ensnared then Regent of Langkat, Terbit Rencana Peranginangin (Golkar). Langkat is a regency in North Sumatera, and in our records, Terbit is the 16th regional head of North Sumatera embroiled in a corruption scandal in less than a decade. But Terbit’s arrest reveals crimes that are more horrific than “mere” corruption. With the help and support of many people, including his own son, Terbit has committed a gross violation of human rights for a long time and has consciously taken many lives. In this case, eight people were named as suspects, including Terbit.

On August 2021, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation in Probolinggo and arrested dozens of parties, including then Regent of Probolinggo, Puput Tantriana Sari, and her husband. The case eventually ensnared 22 suspects, but the inquisition process was done very quickly. Puput and her husband face their trial earlier this year while the other suspects have already been on trial. Towards the end of last week, the Panel of Judges declared the couple guilty, but the sentence given did not satisfy the KPK prosecutors, that they stated the possibility to file an appeal.

In modern slang used in everyday Indonesian, “oon” means slow or tends to be stupid.  While there is a religious expression that says “a name is a prayer”. Towards the end of last week, we saw real examples of the two things mentioned above. Vice President Real Estate of PT Summarecon Agung Tbk (SMRA), Oon Nusihono, was named a suspect after being caught in a series of sting operations carried out by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Apart from Oon, there are three other suspects, including the former Mayor of Yogyakarta, Haryadi Suyuti.

We began 2021 with a corruption case involving tax officials. The allegation was scandalous. Officials had allegedly transacted and helped three large companies avoid their tax obligations. One of said companies was owned by the notorious Haji Isam. Key suspect in the case has been found guilty, recently the prosecutors read their demands for two of his subordinates. Separately, on June 2, 2022, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reportedly conducted another Sting Operation. The team of investigators arrested former Mayor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Haryadi Suyuti. This is the day many people have been waiting for.

The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) keeps making headlines in 2022 as the commission decides to investigate the allegations of cartel-like practices which contributed to the shortage of cooking oil in the country. The examination is ongoing, as well as the fulfillment of other tasks. Earlier this week, the KPPU announced their decision to fine PT Lestari Gemilang Intisawit (PT LGI), who was proven late in notifying their acquisition on PT Nabati Agro Subur (PT NAS). PT LGI is part of Bumitama Agri Limited (SGX:P8Z) (Harita Group).