Taxing Transactions through Electronic Systems (10)
The Ministry of Finance has been expanding the tax base by appointing new collectors of Value Added Tax (VAT/PPN) for digital products in trading through the electronic system (PMSE). The number of collectors continues to increase. The Ministry recently appointed two new collectors, and by September 2021, there are already 83 companies with the same set of responsibilities.
Corruption Journal
It’s been a busy month for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Along with the revelation of the corruption case in Probolinggo, the trial for the suspect Novi Rahman Hidhayat, the disgraced regent of Nganjuk, began. Hidayat is suspected of committing crimes similar to those revealed in Probolinggo. The KPK also announced the Banjarnegara Regent as a suspect in another corruption case.
Law Journal
A noteworthy lawsuit was registered at the Commercial Court at the Central Jakarta District Court last week. The one being sued is Antonius Vidi Kamadjaja. The one seeking Anton’s bankruptcy is Robert Tantular. It’s Robert’s second attempt after his first lawsuit was denied. Separately, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has to face another lawsuit related to the handling of a corruption case. The lawsuit was filed by PT Inti Agri Resources Tbk (IIKP).
A New Chapter of the Jiwasraya Graft Case
Over three months ago we witnessed the trial of 13 corporate suspects in the corruption case involving State-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwasraya (Persero). In the evening of Aug. 16, 2021, after listening to the objections of several defendants, the Panel of Judges decided to annul the indictment of the case, demanding the prosecutors to submit the dockets separately for each company. At first, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) objected to the decision and said that they will file a resistance to the decision. Nothing much can be done. The AGO thus accepted the decision and re-registered the dockets of the corporate suspects one by one.
Corruption in Probolinggo and Similar Cases
The weakness of the career pattern system for Civil Servants (PNS/ASN) has been repeatedly exploited by regional leaders as a source of side income. Some regional leaders have been convicted for receiving bribes. That said, the punishments have not provided a significant deterrent effect. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has already arrested several regional leaders in similar cases this year. The most recent being the case involving the Regent of Probolinggo in East Java. There have been seven cases of positions trading in the past five years, including the one uncovered last week.
Social Assistance Graft Case: Latest Verdicts
The court examination into the corruption case that brought down former minister of social affairs Juliari Peter Batubara has ended. Two weeks ago, the Panel of Judges read their verdict for Juliari. This week, the last two defendants have been found guilty, but the punishments given are much lighter because both men are Justice Collaborators.
Lawsuits against the AGO
Apart from the commendable actions of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in revealing some of the largest corruption cases, its asset recovery attempts have been challenged. The AGO carried out confiscations without legally binding court decisions. The move has caused much resistance. Several lawsuits have been filed by third parties against the AGO.
Samin Tan is Free
After nearly three years of investigation with an escape drama, Samin Tan, owner of PT Borneo Lumbung Energi & Metal Tbk (formerly BORN) who stood trial as a defendant in a case of bribery, has been found not guilty. We question the Corruption Eradication...
On Corruption in Tanjungbalai: Demands and Code of Conduct Violation
The latest case brokering scandal in the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) entered a new chapter two months ago as the trial of the disgraced Mayor of Tanjungbalai, M Syahrial (who used the service of the case broker) started. Recently, the KPK announced that it...
The Latest on the ASABRI Scandal
The trial of seven defendants in corruption involving PT Asuransi Sosial Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia (Persero) (familiarly known as PT ASABRI) is ongoing. At the same time, the investigation continues. Last month the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) named ten corporate suspects in the case. Last week, the AGO named Teddy Tjokrosaputro, the younger brother of defendant Benny Tjokrosaputro, as the new individual suspect in the case, making him the tenth individual suspect announced so far. At around the same time, the AGO also explained the alleged involvement of several other parties in the scheme, the explanation that we have been expecting for years.