The Latest on Garuda Indonesia’s PKPU
PT Garuda Indonesia is trying to get another time extension in their period of Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU). An extension of time is needed to consider the ongoing verification of bills and the negotiation process with creditors.
Corruption in Ambon
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named three people as suspects in a case of alleged corruption related to the approval of the principle permit for the construction of retail branches in Ambon City for the 2020 fiscal year. The suspects include the Mayor of Ambon, Richard Louhenapessy. A travel ban has been imposed on the suspects. The KPK has not yet made an official announcement, but local media outlets have reported this news since the beginning of this week.
The Latest on the Muara Enim Graft Case
Nearly three years have passed since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a corruption scheme in Muara Enim. The case brought down the Regent of Muara Enim Ahmad Yani (Democratic Party) and several other people, including the Chairman of DPRD Aries HB (PDIP). The case eventually ensnared over 30 people, including over 20 members and former members of the region’s DPRD. The latest trial started towards the end of 2021. This week, the prosecutors read their demands for the latest ten defendants in the case.
Supermal Karawaci v. Investment Opportunities: Lawsuits
In November 2021, Singapore-based Investment Opportunities V Pte Limited filed a lawsuit against two parties, including PT Supermal Karawaci. The former demanded the two parties restructure their debts in a period of Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU). On Jan. 13, 2022, the Panel of Judges decided that the lawsuit must be rejected. That said, the dispute is not over for Supermal Karawaci. In a statement published by national media outlets soon after the decision was read, the mall management said they were considering legal action stating that Investment Opportunities had acted in bad faith. This week, three lawsuits were filed to the South Jakarta District Court against four parties, including Investment Opportunities, seeking compensation amounted to over Rp18 trillion in the same dispute.
The Case of Briptu Hasbudi
Police First Brigadier, commonly abbreviated as “Briptu,” is only a second-level non-commissioned officer (Bintara) in the hierarchy of the Indonesian National Police. Before 2001, this rank was called First Sergeant or “Sertu,” similar to the equivalent rank in the military. From a police rank, we can determine their educational background, and in this case, Bintara does not have much authority. But here we are with another scandal in the police institution. Briptu Hasbudi, who served in North Kalimantan, was named a suspect for allegedly running illegal mining and other illegal businesses. Is it possible for a Briptu to single-handedly operate illegal businesses? Ten years ago, we heard a similar but even more shocking story from West Papua, in the case that ensnared a petty police officer, Labora Sitorus.
Latest Judgment on RJ Lino
Richard Joost (RJ) Lino, the former CEO of State-owned port management company PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Persero) (Pelindo II), was found guilty in 2021. But the court proceeding raises many questions, especially because the presiding judge provided a dissenting opinion. Not only that, we know that the indictment does not have a clear basis on State losses. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) filed an appeal. The attempt failed as the High Court upheld the previous decision. So, it is almost impossible for the KPK to recover the losses incurred.
On the Kospin Indosurya Case: The Cahyadis v. Henry Surya
Koperasi Simpan Pinjam (Kospin) Indosurya Cipta convinced its creditors to resolve its debt dispute after submitting a peace proposal on July 8, 2020. The company was able to avoid bankruptcy, but problems remain. Apart from the court proceedings in Indonesia, other creditors have tried to get their rights, attempts that have since failed. This failure then led to a lawsuit in the Singapore High Court against Henry Surya. After an intense examination at the end of April 2022, the Judge decided that the lawsuit could not be proven. Separately, Henry and two of his officials in the company were named suspects by the police. They have been detained since March 2022.
The Miserable Merpati
Four years ago, the Panel of Judges of the Commercial Court at the Surabaya District Court promulgated the peace agreement between PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines, the State-Owned (BUMN) airlines, and its creditors. Yet, the Government later expressed its intention to liquidate Merpati. We are now witnessing the realization of the liquidation plan. In the last week of April 2022, PT PPA filed a lawsuit at the Commercial Court of the Surabaya District Court, requesting the cancellation of the peace agreement agreed upon for Merpati. Before this lawsuit, a similar lawsuit had already been filed by the Association of Former Merpati Pilots.
The Latest Case in Directorate General of Customs and Excise
Last year, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced that it was investigating allegations of corruption related to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC). The KPK was also investigating allegations of corruption related to the arrangement of excisable goods managed by the Concession Agency (BP) in the Bintan Free Trade and Free Port Zone (FTZ) (BP Bintan). The defendants in the case, including the disgraced Regent of Bintan, Apri Sujadi, have been found guilty. But that’s not the only case related to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
On Corruption in Askrindo: Trial
After nearly two years, the investigation into the allegations of corruption in PT Asuransi Kredit Indonesia (Persero) (Askrindo) has been completed. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) had expedited the case’s docket to the stage of prosecution three weeks ago, and court proceedings started towards the end of last week.