Hong Arta John Alfred, the last defendant in the case of corruption related to the construction of the Trans-Seram project, was finally found guilty on Dec. 16, 2020. Nearly five years after the case was uncovered. Meanwhile, the trial of the case of bribery related to fugitive Joko Tjandra continues. The intermediary in the case, Tommy Sumardi, recently listened to the prosecutors demands for him. Interesting to know that the prosecutors accepted Tommy’s proposal to be a Justice Colaborator.

Three years ago the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a corruption scheme in Jambi. The investigation brought down Governor Zumi Zola, who was convicted in December 2018. The KPK later named dozens of members of the Jambi DPRD as suspects, including one businessman as the briber. In the development of investigation, then Acting Head of the Department of Public Works one Arfan was named suspect in other case for receiving grafts along with Zumi Zola. Recently Arfan was found guilty. Separately, the Jakarta High Court decided to aggravate the punishment for Tubagus Chaeri Wardana (Wawan), the brother of former Banten governor Ratu Atut, who was found guilty of corruption. However, the Panel of Appeal still consider that Wawan is not guilty of money laundering as believed by the KPK prosecutors.

Corruption eradication is not only the domain of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Two other law enforcement institutions also have the authority to investigate cases of corruption. The said institutions are the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the National Police (POLRI). The AGO has been particularly active in the work.

PT Karya Tugas Anda, a company engaged in autobody manufacturing industry better known as Tugasanda, had been in dispute with their business partner for quite some time. The dispute is so fierce that the owner of the partner company was prosecuted for criminal charges. The court later decided that the actions of the owner of the partner company were not crimes, so the dispute took place in a civil manner. At the end of November 2020, PT BRI Multifinance Indonesia (BRIF) filed lawsuit on Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) against Tugasanda which then forced Tugasanda to file a PKPU application on itself. At the same time, Tugasanda filed a lawsuit against BRIF on allegation of default to the Central Jakarta District Court. 

The implementation of various programs and National Strategic Projects (PSN) continues even though the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended. The Government issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 109/2020, which is the third amendment to Perpres No. 3/2016 on the Acceleration of National Strategic Project Implementation. Perpres 109 mentions several considerations, including stating that PSN’s implementation has to be optimized to accelerate development, create jobs, and restore the national economy. In reality, obstacles and irregularities remain.

Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) and bankruptcy lawsuits are increasingly in demand as a way out of financial disputes in 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak makes things worse. All business sectors were affected. Small business actors and large business actors all struggled without exception. With the situation unclear, this trend is likely to continue in 2021.

Shortly after his inauguration, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOE/BUMN) Erick Thohir announced the dismissal of then-President Director of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (GIAA) one I Gusti Ngurah Askhara Danadiputra (Ari Askhara). The latter had a disgraceful incident last year. Later on, Minister Erick dismissed other GIAA directors. The incident brought to fore the management of GIAA, which had been under the spotlight for almost three years ever since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named it’s former President Director one Emirsyah Satar a graft suspect. But GIAA is not the only BUMN plagued with corruption. 

Back in April 2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named 38 former members of the North Sumatera Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) as suspects as a result of development of investigation into the case of corruption that brought down the disgraced Governor of North Sumatera Gatot Pujo Nugroho. The KPK had previously named 12 politicians as suspects in the same case during the span of 2015 to 2016. The trials of the suspects ended in August 2019, but the KPK did not stop the investigation. Earlier this year, nearly two years after the last announcement, the KPK announced that it had named 14 new suspects in the case, all are former members of the DPRD. Recently, the trials of all remaining suspects started, but unlike the earlier batch of suspects, now the case is examined by the Corruption Court at the Medan District Court. 

Only one month after his return to Indonesia, the leader of Islam Defender’s Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab was named a suspect for violating health protocols along with five other people. The other suspects are responsible for organizing the wedding of Rizieq’s daughter, which is accompanied by the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.