Andi Irfan Jaya, the one who supposedly helped Prosecutor Pinangki Sirna Malasari in the conspiracy to help Joko Soegiarto Tjandra outwit the law, was found guilty. The Panel of Judges handed him heavier sentences compared to what the prosecutors demanded. However, questions remain. Separately, Pinangki could not read her defense plea as scheduled due to personal reasons. We are also still waiting for the verdict on Joko and the two police generals (Prasetijo Utomo and Napoleon Bonaparte) in the case of bribery. Recently, Napoleon submitted several pieces of evidence, which caused more confusion.

After several months of examination, on Jan. 15, 2021, Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) read their decision on the predatory pricing case involving PT Conch South Kalimantan Cement. As expected, the KPPU found Conch South Kalimantan guilty and slapped the Company with a fine of Rp22.3 billion.

PT Bukit Muria Jaya (BMJ), member of Djarum Group, has agreed to pay a fine of US$1.56 million and enter into a deferred prosecution agreement with the US Justice Department for conspiring to commit bank fraud in connection with the shipment of products to North Korean customers. BMJ, which produces cigarette paper and other specialty papers, has also entered into a settlement agreement with the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Earlier this year, we noted our concerns on the approval of the Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) lawsuit filed against PT Asuransi Jiwa Kresna (known as Kresna Life linked to PT Kresna Graha Investama Tbk – KREN). Last week, a similar PKPU lawsuit was filed against PT Asuransi Jiwasraya. 

Last week, the Panel of Judges of the Surabaya District Court granted the tort lawsuit filed by one Budi Said against PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk (ANTM). ANTM was ordered to compensate for the losses Budi claimed (Rp817.4 billion). The value is equivalent to 1.1 tonnes of gold Budi had supposedly purchased. The granted lawsuit is the second one Budi filed in 2020. ANTM said it would appeal against the decision, but it should be noted that this is not an ordinary case. There are two other lawsuits with similar disputes currently being examined by the same Court. If Budi’s lawsuit was granted, then it is not impossible that the other lawsuits would also be successful.

In May last year, PT Visi Citra Mitra Mulia (INEWS TV) and PT Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia (RCTI), part of the MNC Group, filed a Judicial Review petition at the Constitutional Court. Both applicants challenged Art. 1 number 2 on the Law No. 32/2002 on Broadcasting, specifically questioning the definition of broadcasting laid out. The petition received attention for all the wrong reasons, thanks to MNC Group’s poor communications management. The examination process continued far from media coverage. After over seven months of examinations, the Constitutional Court rejected the petition on Jan. 14, 2021. 

The High Prosecutors’ Office (Kejati) suspect corruption in the sale and purchase of land belonging to the regional government East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). State losses are estimated at Rp3 trillion. Hundreds of people were questioned in the investigation process, including senior journalist Karni Ilyas, former special staff to the President, and retired police general Gories Mere. The Kejati named 16 suspects in this case, including West Manggarai Regent Agustinus Ch Dula.

The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) is growing every year. In terms of performance, with better communication with the public, 2020 is a year that should be appreciated. Entering 2021, KPPU has started examining several interesting cases, and this week has scheduled a decision for one case.

In July 2020, the public was shocked by the news of Maria Pauline Lumowa’s extradition. The key suspect in the case of corruption of PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk (BBNI) ‘s loan facility was finally brought home for justice. Maria had been on the run for over 16 years. Her trial began on Jan. 13, 2021.