Patra Jasa v. Indobuildco: A New Chapter
Five years ago, the Central Jakarta District Court disclosed a lawsuit filed by PT Patra Jasa, a subsidiary of PT Pertamina (Persero) which operates in the property, hospitality, and multi-service sectors. The lawsuit was filed against PT Patra Indonesia, a company close to the late Ibnu Sutowo and linked to the controversial PT Indobuildco. The legal process lasted until 2020 and ended with Patra Jasa’s victory. But even with a court decision, the dispute continues to this day. Recently, we learned that Indobuildco had filed another lawsuit against Patra Jasa, still related to the same dispute.
Revisiting Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGAS)
The past several years have been tough for PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (Persero) (PGAS). In addition to the Company’s tax problems, there are also problems related to its subsidiaries. Can the state-owned Company improve its performance?
Corruption in LPEI: Development
The investigation into the case of corruption related to the Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI/Eximbank) is making progress. Earlier in November 2021, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that it had developed the investigation and named seven suspects in the new case, namely the allegation of obstruction of justice. Soon after, the AGO named an advocate a new suspect with the same allegation. Entering 2022, the AGO finally announced five suspects in the predicate crime.
2022 Sting Operation: West Java, Again
In September 2021, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) visited West Java and held a coordination meeting on an integrated corruption eradication program with at least 120 legislators. On said occasion, the KPK said that 26 provinces had had to deal with KPK enforcement. West Java more than others. The largest province in the country could maintain the abominable record this year as the Mayor of Bekasi, Rahmat Effendi, has recently been caught for graft. The KPK has unraveled a total of nine cases in West Java (in different municipalities). Two uncovered last year were related to the COVID-19 national recovery program.
Corruption Journal
The second batch of verdicts for the defendants in the case of corruption implicating PT Asuransi Sosial Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia (PT ASABRI) was read on Jan. 5, 2022. One of the judges who gave a dissenting opinion in the first batch of verdicts maintained his opinion. The defendants were found guilty. Separately, in the case of corruption involving Nurhadi, former secretary of the Supreme Court, the KPK has failed to hold him to account as the Supreme Court rejected the anti graft body’s cassation petition.
Corruption in the Land Office: Decisions
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced progress on their investigation into the corruption involving former officials of the State Land Agency (BPN, or the Land Office) in West Kalimantan. The institution named two suspects, both suspected of money laundering. But the important case is somehow not attractive to the media. The inquisition process to the stage of prosecution continues far from media coverage. We learned that the two suspects had been found guilty.
ASABRI Scandal: The First Batch of Verdicts
The trials of the suspects involved in the PT Asuransi Sosial Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia (PT ASABRI) corruption scandal will be over soon. In contrast to the revelation of the case that seemed so extraordinary, the trials went along quietly. The matters examined in the trials were no longer of interest to the public, except when the Prosecutors decided they could indict one of the defendants, Heru Hidayat, with the death penalty. As if made to welcome the new year, four defendants, who were former ASABRI executives, were all found guilty in the hearing held on Jan. 4, 2022. Two other defendants will hear their punishment today.
2022 Outlook: PKPU and Bankruptcy
The number of lawsuits on Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) and bankruptcy has increased for the past three years. It doesn’t look like the trend will stop yet. Some want a moratorium as lawsuits become an alternative solution to the challenging, pandemic-induced business climate.
Problems in Peruri
At the end of November 2021, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police announced that it had uncovered a case of alleged corruption at PT Peruri Digital Security (PT PDS), a subsidiary of the State-owned money printing company Perum Peruri. In the announcement, the police also displayed Rp8.9 billion, confiscated and suspected of being related to the crime. The problems in Perum Peruri have been going on for a long time.
Problems Surround Nipress
The past few years have been difficult for PT Nipress Tbk (NIPS). Trading in the company’s shares has been suspended since 2020. The company is now on the verge of being delisted. The company and its subsidiaries also have to face several lawsuits on Suspension of Debt Payment (PKPU). In March 2020, a PKPU lawsuit against NIPS was granted. The company resolved the dispute amicably towards the end of 2020, but the situation did not last long. Towards the end of 2021, one of the creditors, PT Bank QNB Indonesia Tbk (BKSW), filed a lawsuit, seeking to cancel the peace agreement. What a mess.