Revisiting MCOR’s Cessie Dispute
Nearly six years ago, the Police named two suspects in the case of alleged embezzlement related to the dispute on debt-claiming rights (cessie) involving PT Geria Wijaya Prestige (GWP). The announcement is only the beginning of more complicated matters. Lawsuits after lawsuits came into four different courts in two different provinces. One advocate was sentenced to contempt of court, several key persons were sentenced to the predicate crime, but the most important thing has not been resolved. The two suspects previously named by the Police have not even been tried, and the disputed assets are still being disputed. The Ministry of Finance has tried to auction the assets twice but failed both attempts. We learned that a new lawsuit was registered again to the South Jakarta District Court. What do the plaintiffs want to pursue this time?
On the Tax Corruption Scandal: Decisions
At the beginning of last year, a tax scandal was exposed. It involves the tax obligations of three large companies. Towards the middle of the year, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced the chronology of the case and named two suspects. Both are employees of the Directorate General of Taxation at the Ministry of Finance. The trial proceeded without much surprise. The two key persons in this case were found guilty towards the end of last week.
KPK’s Corporate Suspect: The Latest Trial
Nearly four years ago the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named two companies suspects of corruption for the construction of the Sabang unloading port. They are a local construction company from Aceh PT Tuah Sejati and the State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) PT Nindya Karya (Persero). We did not hear of any update since then, even though the individual suspects in the same case have been convicted since 2014. Fortunately the KPK has not forgotten the case. The trial of the two corporate suspects begins this week.
Revisiting the E-KTP Graft Case
After years of waiting, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) finally announced the continuation of the investigation into the case of corruption in the procurement process of the electronic identity card (E-KTP). Back in 2019, the KPK named four new suspects. Last week, the KPK officially detained two of the suspects. Despite the prolonged process, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Will this latest development reveal things that have been bugging the public for so long?
On Corruption in South Sumatera: Alex Noerdin’s Trial
Towards the end of 2021, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced the inquisition into the case of 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. Last week, Alex stood trial as defendant in the two cases.
PKPU for Biotis
The Commercial Court at the Central Jakarta District Court has just registered a lawsuit filed by a Chinese super conglomerate against PT Biotis Prima Agrisindo (PT BPA), the parent of PT Biotis Pharmaceutical Indonesia (PT BPI). The conglomerate is asking for the company to restructure its debt.
On the Geostationary Orbit Scandal: A New Chapter
Three weeks ago the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, announced that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had ordered an investigation into alleged violations of law in satellite management cooperation at the Ministry of Defense. This case supposedly cost the State around Rp800 billion. At the same time, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) said it had commenced investigation into the case a week before the announcement. The examination of witnesses continues, but the Government refuses to remain silent. On Feb. 2, 2022, the Central Jakarta District Court registered a new resistance lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Defense against the order for execution of the Singapore arbitration award in favor of Hungary-based Navayo Research Ltd.
Revisiting the West Cengkareng Land Mafia Case: Suspects
Six years ago, when the DKI Jakarta province was still led by Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, a scandalous case was made public. In 2015, to construct public housing flats, the Jakarta Housing Department had spent Rp648 billion to buy a parcel of land from a supposed civilian owner. It later turned out that the land belonged to the Department of Marine, Agriculture and Food Security (DKPKP) of the Jakarta Administration. This week the National Police’s Criminal Investigative Unit (Bareskrim POLRI) announced two suspects in this case.
Corruption in Buru Selatan
Last week, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named suspects in the case of bribery related to the procurement of goods and services in the Buru Selatan regency, in the province of Maluku. The announcement was made after an investigation into the allegations of crimes committed during the tenure of former Regent Tagop Sudarsono Soulisa (PDIP). Tagop served for two periods from 2011 to 2021. Tagop allegedly received Rp10 billion in bribes. The KPK also named Tagop a suspect of money laundering. We are expecting to see more details unfold.
On the Pani Gold Project: Merdeka, Provident, and Lion Selection Deal
The dynamics of problems that accompany the management of the Pani block deteriorated in recent years. But towards the end of 2021, the dispute, which was originally to be examined through arbitration in Singapore, was successfully resolved without going through a legal process. A month later, the Lion Selection Group (ASX: LSX), which owns shares in PT Pani Bersama Jaya (PT PBJ), stated that it would sell its share in PT PBJ to PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk (MDKA) and Andalan International Pte Ltd (Andalan, an entity controlled by Provident Capital). Payments will be made in stages in cash and in the form of shares in MDKA. Thus, Lion Selection is to become a shareholder in MDKA.