The trial of Joko Tjandra bribery case will end soon. The intermediary in the case one Tommy Sumardi, Joko’s friend and also in-law of Malaysia’s ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak, has been found guilty. The Panel of Judges, however, accepted his request to be a Justice Collaborator so we wonder what will happen after the trial ended. We are now waiting for the verdict on the two police generals (Prasetijo Utomo and Napoleon Bonaparte) who are indicted of receiving approximately Rp9 billion in exchange for helping to erase Joko’s name from the fugitive list. Separately, the trial in the case of conspiracy with key defendant Pinangki Sirna Malasari, continues. After only less than two months of proceedings, the prosecutors had read their demands for Pinangki’s counterpart Andi Irfan.

It has been over two years since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Sting Operation and uncovered a vast corruption scheme involving civil servants under the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing. The scheme related to the construction of dozens of Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) projects, conducted across Indonesia had ensnared a lot of people and the latest perpetrator with the highest authority ensnared is member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) one Rizal Djalil, who was senior politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN). Recently the trials of Rizal and one other suspect started, and judging from the content of their indictment, we hope the KPK will not stop investigating.

The Indonesian Government is using the COVID-19 pandemic to implement several plans that have been stalled for some time, including collecting taxes from electronic system transactions (PMSE). Until the end of 2020, however, there are reportedly several companies who have not fulfilled their obligations. In addition, there is a new ministerial regulation related to the policy. 

One of the most awaited trials of the year ended recently. The Panel of Judges of the East Jakarta District Court who conducted parallel examinations of three defendants for alleged forgery and obstruction of justice related to efforts in assisting Joko Tjandra escape punishment had declared all defendants guilty. The punishment given are heavier than the prosecutors demands, but many were dissatisfied with the verdicts.

When the 2015-2019 leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) ended their term of office at around this time last year, they claimed to have succeeded in saving the State from losses that could amount to Rp63.8 trillion. The KPK under Agus Rahardjo’s lead was also praised for marathon Sting Operations from 2016 to 2019. This is partly why the KPK under Firli Bahuri was ridiculed, because even as of Dec. 2020, the KPK only carried out seven official Sting Operations.

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.