Several years ago, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk (MDKA), which has a mining business license (IUP) in Pani through PT Pani Bersama Tambang (PT PBT), agreed with PT J Resources Asia Pacific Tbk (PSAB), which has a working contract (KK) in the block Pani through PT Gorontalo Sejahtera Mining (PT GSM), to form a joint venture in the Pani mining area. The parties later got into a dispute. Earlier this year, PT PBT filed an arbitration petition at the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC) against PT J Resources Nusantara (PT JRN), another subsidiary of PSAB. PT PBT alleged PT JRN of having failed to fulfill its obligations to settle the agreed Conditional Shares Sale and Purchase Agreement (CSPA). PSAB denied the allegations. Two weeks ago, MDKA announced that the parties had submitted proposals to suspend the arbitration proceedings, which SIAC approved.

Over two years ago, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a case of corruption involving the President Director of State-owned fisheries services company Perum Perindo. It took the KPK a year to punish all parties involved in said case. But that’s not the end of Perum Perindo’s woes. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has announced an investigation and inquisition into the company. 

The Bill on the Harmonization of Tax Regulations (RUU HPP) was passed into Law in the Plenary Session held earlier this month. It remains a hot topic. In addition to containing several legal breakthroughs, the Bill also contains several drastic changes, including changes in the authority of tax crime investigators, which can go beyond the district court. The changes and additions to the authority are contained in the amendment to Art. 44 paragraph (2) of the RUU HPP. 

Seven months have passed since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed the news that it was investigating a corruption case related to land acquisition in East Jakarta. The bribee in the case is Yoory Corneles Pinontoan, the former president director of the Regional Public Corporation Pembangunan Sarana Jaya (PD Sarana Jaya). His trial began recently. The trial of the bribers will be held on Oct. 28, 2021. 

It has been over four years since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced its investigation and inquisition into the Bengkalis graft case. The KPK initially named two suspects. Dozens more were named subsequently. The trial of several of the suspects...

Last month, the former Governor of South Sumatera Alex Noerdin was named a suspect of corruption in two different cases after years of speculation. The investigation was initiated by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). Alex denies the allegations to this day. Unfortunately for Alex, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has long been eyeing his son, Dodi Reza Alex Noerdin, also the regent of Musi Banyuasin. Last week, the KPK arrested Dodi and other parties in a sting operation. Dodi was announced as one of the suspects the following day.

Earlier this year, the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Train (HST) reached a construction milestone with completion of the longest continuous beam. That said, the progress has been overshadowed by the controversy that followed. Plenty of cost overruns were discovered. Many parties urged the implementation of an investigative audit. Commercial operation is targeted to commence in early 2023. Can the project be completed on time?

The Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (Satgas BLBI), a Task Force under Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s supervision, is facing a new obstacle. The Satgas BLBI is attempting to recover funds from some businessmen related to the 1997-1998 financial crisis. On Oct. 11, 2021, the Central Jakarta District Court registered a tort lawsuit filed by the Harjono brothers. Both of them feel that they have no obligation. So they considered the Satgas’ actions unlawful. 

The former Regent of North Labuhanbatu Kharuddin Syah, who was convicted in the Budget Mafia case, is now facing a new trial. Kharuddin is indicted for allegedly embezzling the collection fees of Land and Building taxes (PBB) for the plantation sector.