On AISA’s Dispute: The End?
On July 30, 2020, after being in dispute for nearly two years, Joko Mogoginta and Budhi Istanto (former executives of PT Tiga Pilar Sejahtera Food Tbk – AISA, now FKS Food) were found guilty of embezzlement. On the same day, the Company’s new management held an incidental public expose to fulfill the requirements demanded by the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the reopening of the Company’s securities trading on the Stock Exchange. AISA has been allowed to recommence its operations in September 2020. In October 2020, Joko and Budhi were indicted for fraud. On Aug. 5, 2021, Joko and Budhi were found guilty, again.
On Corruption in Bank Tabungan Negara: The End?
PT Bank Tabungan Negara (BBTN)’s former president director Maryono, who is also a well-known banking figure, has been on trial for graft and money laundering. After several months of proceedings, in the hearing held on Aug. 4, 2021, Maryono and the other defendants were found guilty. That said, it’s a disappointing outcome given that the Panel of Judges ruled out the allegation of money laundering.
Taxing Transactions through Electronic Systems (9)
Not long ago, the Directorate General of Taxation at the Ministry of Finance said that it would consider the policy of Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in exploring potential tax revenues until the end of 2021. In addition to exploring the potential post-PPKM revenues, three revenue optimization agendas will be carried out until the end of 2021, one of which is appointing new collectors of Value Added Tax (VAT) for imported digital products in trading through the electronic system (PMSE). In an official statement released on Aug. 4, 2021, the Directorate General of Taxation announced six new entities obliged to collect digital taxes.
The Late Henry Soetio and PKPU Lawsuit
Businessman Henry Soetio, known for his lifestyle and friendship with high-profile politicians, passed away two weeks ago after being exposed to COVID-19. Unfortunately for Henry's family, his death left a problem. Only a few days after Henry's death, the Commercial...
On the Corruption in the Ministry of Religious Affairs: Demands
Two years ago, nearing the end of the term of the previous leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), two new inquisitions were announced. One of said inquisitions was related to the case of corruption involving the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The KPK...
Questioning MA’s Judicial Review Authority, Again
Five years ago, the Constitutional Court examined a judicial review petition challenging Law No. 3/2009 on the Supreme Court concerning the judicial process on the judicial review or “permohonan keberatan” (better known as hak uji materi – HUM). In April 2016, the application was denied. Recently, we learned that a businessman filed a similar judicial review application. The purpose of the judicial review petition is similar to the one questioned five years ago: the transparency of the HUM examination in the Supreme Court.
PKPU/Bankruptcy Journal: The End for Kasih Industri
At the start of 2021, PT Kasih Industri Indonesia (PT KII) faced a lawsuit on Suspension of Debt Payment (PKPU) filed by PT Humpuss Trading, a company controlled by Tommy Soeharto. In the second week of Feb. 2021, the lawsuit was rejected. Soon after that, another company in the same group PT Humpuss Patragas filed a similar PKPU lawsuit. After several months of examination, the PKPU period ended with PT KII’s bankruptcy. Drama followed: the administrators were named suspects on suspicion of inflating the value of the debt.
On Joker’s Case: High Court and the Controversial Appeals
Last month the Panel of Appeal of the Jakarta High Court surprised the nation when it granted the petition filed by former prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari, a graft convict who supposedly helped Joko Soegiarto Tjandra to escape the law. Pinangki’s sentence was reduced from ten years to only four years imprisonment. To make matters worse, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) decided not to file any cassation. This week, the High Court gave another surprise. It eased Joko Tjandra’s sentence. Four of the five members of the Panel of Appeal in the Joko Tjandra case are the same high court judges who previously reduced Pinangki’s sentence.
Social Assistance Graft Case: Demands for Juliari Batubara
Seven months ago, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Sting Operation and arrested six people on suspicion of corruption in social assistance programs at the Ministry of Social Affairs. The KPK named several suspects, including then Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Peter Batubara. It took the KPK four more months to complete Juliari’s docket and start the prosecution. Three months later, in a hearing held on July 28, 2021, the prosecutors read their demands. Juliari continues to deny the charges against him.
The ASABRI Scandal: New Suspects
One year and six months ago, the National Police (POLRI) began receiving reports detailing the allegations of corruption involving PT Asuransi Sosial Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia (familiarly known as PT ASABRI). The investigation faced many obstacles. Later on, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir submitted a similar report to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). The investigation process soon shifted to the AGO. Armed with evidence from the Minister, it did not take long for the AGO to announce the suspects in this allegation. The AGO worked hard to recover losses to the State, which resulted in other problems: lawsuits from various parties. In the midst of all of this hassle, the AGO announced that it had named ten corporate suspects in the case, and the dockets of the individual suspects were completed. Soon the trial will begin.