Update on the Corruption in Danareksa
Back in August 2018, we reported on an investigation conducted by the Attorney General Office (AGO) related to allegations of corruption involving State-owned Enterprise PT Danareksa (Persero). At the beginning of 2020, the investigation escalated to the stage of inquisition. The AGO has named six suspects in two different cases. In addition to the case of corruption in PT Asuransi Jiwasraya (Persero), we believe this investigation will keep the AGO very busy.
On the Banyuwangi Gold Mine Case
In January 2018, Heri Budiawan a.k.a Budi Pego, a farmer slash environmental activist, was convicted to 10 months imprisonment. Budi was deemed guilty of endangering national security. The Court believed Budi organized an illegal rally against PT Bumi Suksesindo (BSI), the holders of gold mine operating license in Tumpang Pitu, Banyuwangi East Java. At the time of the incident, Budi supposedly allowed the spread of communism through flag-raising. In the stage of cassation, Budi’s punishment was aggravated to four years in prison, but until today the verdict has not been executed yet. Meanwhile, the residents still try to voice their rejection of the mining activities.
Latest on the Bank J Trust v. Weston et al
Back in September 2018, Asia Sentinel published their story on the criminal conspiracy conducted during the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) especially regarding the Bank Century case. The story quickly goes viral, triggering a threat of lawsuit from the Democratic party. At the time we all know that we’re already familiar with the story, although until today, the case can only ensnared several people. We, on the other hand, are interested in the party who prompted Asia Sentinel to write the article, i.e., Weston International Capital Limited, an investment firm who –for several years now– refuse to stop “investigating” the case. Weston decided to bring the dispute to the Singapore High Court in June 2015. In 2018, the primary claims were submitted and in 2019 the amendment to the application was submitted. In February 2020, the High Court announced their decision.
Battling Environmental Pollution
When talking about law enforcement in the environmental field, what is known by the public is mostly the civil lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry related to the perpetrators of forest fires. There is not much news about law enforcement related to other environmental damage unless the parties involved are well-known. Not long ago, we learned that the Ministry had filed several lawsuits in two separate district courts trying to hold several companies responsible for polluting the Citarum river. Recently two lawsuits were partially granted by both courts. One lawsuit was resolved peacefully in January 2020. The verdicts added to the Ministry’s list of victory.
Latest on Imam Nahrawi’s Trial
The trial of Imam Nahrawi, the former Minister of Youth and Sports, continues. Imam who is now a defendant in the case of bribery involving his subordinates and officials of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) confronted the witness who attended the latest hearing. But their confrontation looks a lot more like a personal dispute.
Mizuho v. DUCK et al
In the second week of January 2020, Mizuho Asean Investment LP filed a tort lawsuit against several parties including PT Asia Kuliner Sejahtera and PT Jaya Bersama Indo Tbk (DUCK). The dispute is related to the parties’ attempt to issue bonds in the name of DUCK. Mizuho accused Asia Culinary Prosperous neglected to perform obligations and demand trillions of rupiah compensation. Four days after the lawsuit was filed, Mizuho was sued by dozens of other related parties but the counter-lawsuit was registered in different district courts. However, in the new lawsuit DUCK is also listed as defendant. What a headache. Not long ago DUCK’s legal counsel gave a statement and stated that the company did not have any legal relationship with Mizuho. What is really happening?
Latest on Jiwasraya Graft Case
The case of corruption involving State-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwasraya (Persero) had taken a toll on a lot of parties. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has seized many assets, including two mining companies. The AGO recently handed over the management of the companies to the Ministry of State-owned Enterprises. Separately, the House of Representatives is competing in running committees to investigate the case. Meanwhile, the State is still trying to find a quick solution to fulfill the Company’s obligation to its customers.
Updates on Jiwasraya Graft Case
The case of corruption involving State-owned insurance company PT Asuransi Jiwasraya (Persero) has taken a toll on many. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) investigated the case, so many assets had been seized, including two mining companies. The AGO recently handed over the management of the companies to the Ministry of State-owned Enterprises. Separately, the House of Representatives is competing in running committees to investigate the case. Meanwhile, the State is still trying to find a quick solution to fulfill the Company’s obligation to its customers.
Updates on Bayan Resources
Last year we reported on the legal issues faced by several subsidiaries of PT Bayan Resources Tbk (BYAN) which caused problems on the companies operation. Earlier this week, BYAN announced that they had received the official copy of court verdicts related to the said legal issues.
Update on the Battle against Perpetrators of Forest Fires: West Kalimantan
Indonesia faced another forest fire last year. Although the consequences are not as bad as in 2015, the Government handled the situation aggressively. The latest updates given was when they announced the investigation on over 500 suspects, including dozens of corporate suspects. The West Kalimantan province stands out for actively warning corporations. Recently, we learned that the chief of the West Kalimantan regional police personally led case constructions. To date, there are seven corporate suspects in West Kalimantan.