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).

Another State-owned Enterprise subsidiary has to face the law after experiencing financial difficulties. In the span of eight months during 2021, PT Waskita Beton Precast Tbk (WSBP) has faced six lawsuits demanding the company to restructure its debts. The last lawsuit on Suspension of Debt Payment (PKPU) was registered in December 2021 and the examination is still ongoing.  Now, the problem is compounded after the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that they are investigating allegations of corruption in the company. It is sad to admit that this allegation is not surprising.

Over a year ago, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a case brokering scandal involving one of their own investigator. The KPK managed to ensnared several other parties who were directly contributed in the scandal including then Mayor of Tanjungbalai, M Syahrial, and then Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Azis Syamsudin. Syahrial and Azis have been found guilty soon after the revelation, but Syahrial was named suspect in another case for allegedly receiving bribe. Far from media coverage, during a hearing held this week, Syahrial has been declared guilty once again.

In the end of June 2020, we reported on a potential dispute announcement made by the Board of Directors of Geo Energy Resources Limited (SGX: RE4) related to the Company’s corporate action agreed back in September 2019. The corporate action in question is related to the purchase of 100 percent of the existing shares in PT Titan Global Energy (PT TGE), part of PT Titan Infra Energy (PT TIE). The potential dispute arise because the current or former shareholders of PT TIE are reportedly in dispute in Indonesia. At the time, two different lawsuits are being examined at the Central Jakarta District Court, all relating to companies belonging to the Titan business group. Now, two years later, the public is finally aware of the complicated problems faced by the same business group.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had to start 2022 with a Sting Operation in the city of Bekasi. The operation was conducted only three months after KPK visited West Java and held a coordination meeting on an integrated corruption eradication program with at least 120 legislators. By now we all know that there are 26 provinces that have been recorded to have dealt with the KPK, and the first place in the ranking is occupied by West Java, and West Java proves that numbers don’t have any effect. The said operation ensnared dozens of people, including then commendable Mayor of Bekasi, Rahmat Effendi. This week, his trial started and Rahmat is indicted with two charges.

Towards the end of 2021, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced the inquisition into the case of alleged corruption in the purchase of natural gas by Perusahaan Daerah Pertambangan dan Energi of South Sumatera (PDPDE Sumsel). It named two suspects including former Governor of South Sumatera Alex Noerdin (Golkar). Just days after that, the local prosecutors’ office with the help from the AGO announced the development of investigation and inquisition into the case of corruption in the construction of the Sriwijaya Mosque, and named several new suspects including Alex Noerdin. With two charges, Alex has been standing trial since February 2022. This week, prosecutors demanded Alex to be punished to 20 years imprisonment.