The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has not only conducted Sting Operations. It has also developed investigations that have been running for a long time. Recently, the KPK stated that it was investigating allegations of corruption related to the Directorate General of Taxation (DJP) and allegations of corruption related to the arrangement of excisable goods managed by the Concession Agency (BP) in the Bintan Free Trade and Free Port Zone (FTZ) (BP Bintan). The KPK said that the BP Bintan case was already in the stage of inquisition. So there should already be a suspect, but the current KPK leadership is not as eager to announce the suspect’s identity as the previous leaderships. 

Nurdin Abdullah, governor of South Sulawesi and the icon of anti-corruption, was arrested along with five other people as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a series of Sting Operations on Feb. 27, 2021. He was named a suspect later on the same day and was immediately detained. The KPK used a construction project as an entry point in uncovering the corrupt scheme. Since the arrest, many have demanded the KPK to also investigate the construction of the Makassar New Port.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating a bribery case implicating high-ranking officials at directorate general of taxation, ministry of finance, and one coal mining company located in Kalimantan and owned by famous businessman known for strong political connection. Tax consultant for the coal mining company reportedly paid Rp30 billion of bribery to the tax officials. 

In February 2021, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo issued Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 10/2021 concerning the Business Sector for Investment, one of the implementing regulations for Law No 11/2020 concerning Job Creation. This Perpres, as the title suggests, regulates business sectors that are open to investment with special requirements. Of the 46 business sectors mentioned, three of them are about alcoholic beverages. A month after the Perpres was issued, news emerged that the President had legalized the sale of alcoholic beverages. The Perpres was dubbed the “Perpres Miras”. Resistance quickly spread on religious grounds, even though the mentioned investment was limited to four provinces in central and eastern Indonesia. Unexpectedly, on March 2, 2021, the President decided to remove the annex in the Perpres that created controversy. Of course, the President’s actions need to be questioned, but most importantly, is it legal to remove only part of annexes in a Perpres? 

After years full of drama, the case of alleged corruption involving the former Secretary of the Supreme Court Nurhadi is coming to an end. On March 2, 2021, the prosecutors read their demands for Nurhadi and his son-in-law Rezky Herbiyono. But although the trial is reaching the finish line, we are still waiting for the development of the investigation into other parties. 

The businessman who bribed the former Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) member Rizal Djalil has been found guilty. Rizal’s trial will resume after Rizal recovered from COVID-19. But despite the progress, questions remain. Meanwhile, one of the suspects in the Cirebon graft case—which brought down Regent Sunjaya Purwadisastra—recently filed a pre-trial lawsuit. 

In 2016, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) began examining cartel practices’ allegations in the motorcycle industry. Several months later, in 2017, the Commission decided that the two reported companies, namely PT Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (PT YIMM) and PT Astra Honda Motor (PT AHM), were indeed engaged in a cartel-like practice and deemed them guilty. Fast forward to 2019, the KPPU developed an investigation based on the 2016 case and began examining allegations of tying agreement between PT AHM and Astra Honda Authorized Service Station (AHASS). Far from media coverage, last week, the Commission had read its decision and decided the allegation could be partially proven. The Commission said such a practice could be justified.

Nurdin Abdullah, the governor of South Sulawesi, was once praised for his anti-corruption image and intellect. Who would’ve thought that in only several years, Nurdin would become a suspect of corruption? Nurdin was arrested along with five other people as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a series of Sting Operations on the morning of Feb. 27, 2021. He was named a suspect later on the same day and was immediately detained.

Last year was almost perfect for the Attorney General’s Office (AGO). After being under the spotlight for a long time due to its unsatisfactory performance, the AGO scored points after investigating corruption in State-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwasraya (Persero). The key suspects were found guilty near the end of 2020. All received record-breaking punishment of life imprisonment. The convicts appealed, and the process started two weeks ago. To our surprise, only less than two weeks after that, the High Court gave its verdicts for Heru Hidayat and Hary Prasetyo. Hary is the lucky one as the Panel of Appeal decided to reduce his sentence. 

On Feb. 24, 2021, the Central Jakarta District Court registered a civil lawsuit filed by PT Adi Boga Cipta, operator of popular restaurant Hanamasa, against PT Plaza Lifestyle Prima (familiarly known as fX Sudirman shopping mall). It’s an ordinary lawsuit on a rental dispute, but the people behind the companies are interesting to be discussed.