Four months ago, the former President Director of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) (PLN) Nur Pamudji was found guilty of corruption. Nur Pamudji, who was once declared as the icon of anti-corruption, was declared responsible for causing State losses due to irregular procurement of High-Speed ​​Diesel (HSD) fuel supplied by PT Trans-Pacific Petrochemical Indotama (TPPI). Nur Pamudji decided to appeal, but he recently lost the fight. The event raises many questions. It’s confusing enough that in both courts, there are dissenting opinions. Some of the judges believe that Nur Pamudji is not guilty. 

The prolonged economic crisis caused too much uncertainty and led to bankruptcy lawsuits and debt dispute cases. In terms of lawsuits for Suspension of Debt Payments (PKPU), per Nov. 20, 2020, the number of PKPU applications had gone up by more than 50 percent compared to the same period last year. Among the lawsuits are several high-profile disputes, such as the dispute between QNB and Bosowa.

The end of the year is around the corner, but the commercial courts are still busy with debt disputes through Suspension of Debt Payment (PKPU) and bankruptcy lawsuits. We recently reported on the PKPU lawsuit that was filed against PT Mahkota Sentosa Utama (PT MSU), the developer of the Meikarta township project. The lawsuit was granted. The team of administrators announced the schedule during the phase of temporary PKPU. Meanwhile, the PKPU period of PT Berkat Manunggal Jaya (PT BMJ) is scheduled to end in the second week of Dec. 2020. So far, the verified bills have reached over Rp1 trillion. 

Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance continues to develop the policy on determining tax collection in digital transactions on products and services sold to customers in Indonesia. As per this week, the number of companies obliged to collect Value Added Tax (PPN) has gone up to 46 companies, with ten new companies added to the list. But the collection of taxes on digital transactions has another complex side about which not many people know.

Less than a week after returning to Indonesia, Rizieq Shihab, the high Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), has already caused problems. Rizieq celebrated his daughter’s wedding and held a reception in conjunction with the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (Maulid). After four years, it seems that the State still does not have control over the controversial community organization. So we are now presented with a drama on the investigation into violation of health protocols. Two police generals were dismissed and demoted from their respective positions. On top of all that, the Chief of the Petamburan Sub-district has tested positive for COVID-19. 

On Nov. 18, 2020, the Commercial Court of the Central Jakarta District Court registered a lawsuit against PT Indonesia Power, a subsidiary of PT PLN. The lawsuit was filed by one Liliana Wibisono, the chief of Kinarya Liman Margaseta Consortium (KKLM). It seeks Indonesia Power’s bankruptcy.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)’s most recent announcement is on the case of corruption dubbed as the Budget Mafia Case. Last week, the KPK announced four new suspects in the case in three consecutive days. This week, KPK detained one of the suspects: Mayor of Dumai Zulkifli Adnan (Nasdem). 

In Oct. 2019, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation and uncovered an outrageous corruption scheme in the regency. KPK then arrested several people including the Regent of Indramayu one Supendi (Golkar). Far from media attention, the trial started in Dec. 2019 and lasted until mid-2020. All defendants were found guilty, however, the KPK did not stop investigating. It recently named former member of the West Java DPRD Abdul Rozaq a suspect.

It is unfortunate to see the problems that are currently faced by PT Indosterling Technomedia Tbk (TECH). After the alleged default of PT Indosterling Optima Investa, a finance company related to the Company, last month the Company’s Commissioner was named a suspect in a case of alleged fraud. TECH finally confirmed this news on Friday last week. The situation is unfortunate because TECH was only officially listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) as of June 2020.

Five years ago China Sonangol International Holding made headlines after it decided to boost its presence in Indonesia through China Sonangol Land. Together with its Indonesian partner Media Group (controlled by Surya Paloh, chairman of NasDem Party), they established...