In mid-2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a double sting operation in East Java. The Regent of Tulungagung Syahri Mulyo and the Mayor of Blitar Samanhudi were arrested. Both are PDI-P politicians. The investigation into the case in Tulungagung continued after the KPK named Supriyono, the Chair of the Tulungagung DPRD, a new suspect. After several months of trial, Supriyono was found guilty on August 5, 2020. We expect the KPK to continue investigating as there are allegations of involvement of other influential people.

Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGV), the world’s largest palm oil producer, through FIC Properties Sdn Bhd, agreed to become a strategic partner of Rajawali Corpora (controlled by tycoon Peter Sondakh) in PT Eagle High Plantation Tbk (BWPT) years ago by acquiring shares of the Company. The deal was sealed in 2017. In the middle of the process, Felda became a subject of corruption probes related to the 1MDB scandal. In mid-2019 Felda’s new Director General Datuk Dr. Othman Omar claimed that Felda was cheated into entering a “one-sided” deal for the sale and purchase of BWPT’s shares. Since then, the “put option agreement” between the parties became a subject of discussions. The agreement makes it possible for Felda to claim all the money it paid plus 6 percent of annual interest should BWPT fail to fulfill its obligations. Rajawali Corpora declared its intention to resolve the dispute through arbitration. It is not a surprise that BWPT can only meet one of its duties. The arbitration stage, unfortunately, takes place in secret.

The trial on the case of corruption in State-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwasraya (Persero) no longer gets as much attention as it did with its first hearing. Even so, the witness examination process continues. On August 3, 2020, the hearing revealed another method allegedly used by Benny Tjokrosaputro to commit the crime. In addition to companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and investment managements mentioned in the trial, Benny is suspected of controlling more than 30 other companies.

On August 3, 2020, the Central Jakarta District Court registered a lawsuit on Suspension of Debt Payment submitted by one Ken Binsar Yaputra. There is almost no information about Ken Binsar other than that his father was the founder of the world-famous Eztu Glass Art. The lawsuit is even more interesting because Ken Binsar personally sued Sungkono Honoris and his wife. What relationship does the executive of a stained glass company have with the owner of PT Modern Internasional Tbk (MDRN)?

The trial of the former Commissioner of the General Election Commission (KPU) Wahyu Setiawan, who allegedly abused his authority and received grafts, will soon end. Far from media coverage, on August 3, 2020, the prosecutors read their demands. Separately, the same district court examined a different case, i.e., a family feud over the inheritance of the late Eka Tjipta Widjaja. Freddy Widjaja, the son who demanded his share from his brothers, had decided to withdraw the lawsuit. The court still has to listen to the defendant’s response in a hearing scheduled next week. 

On July 30, 2020, after being in dispute for nearly two years, Joko Mogoginta and Budhi Istanto (former executives of PT Tiga Pilar Sejahtera Food Tbk – AISA) were finally found guilty of embezzlement. On the same day, the new management of the Company held an...

KT Corporation, South Korea's oldest and largest telecommunications company, has been in dispute with PT Bhakti Investama Tbk (currently known as PT MNC Investama Tbk – BHIT) and PT Global Mediacom Tbk (BMTR) for over a decade. The parties fight each other through...

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced its investigation and inquisition into the Bengkalis graft case in August 2017. The KPK named two suspects. Dozens more were named suspects subsequently. One of the remaining suspects was recently declared guilty. The convict is one Makmur a.k.a. Aan, who has been identified as the director of PT Mitra Bungo Abadi. Makmur was named a suspect in March 2019. 

The trial on the case of corruption in State-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwasraya continues. The latest hearing was held on July 27, 2020. The accounts of several witnesses provided more information on the conspiracy committed by the defendants for the past several years.

In mid-May 2020, the House of Representatives passed the revised Law on Mineral and Coal Mining (Minerba). The revision was enacted as Law No. 3/2020. Until two weeks ago, the Constitutional Court received three applications for Judicial Review challenging the said Law. Towards the end of last week, the preliminary examinations started.