On Corruption in North Lampung
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has been eyeing several provinces, one of which is Lampung. The KPK had arrested four regents in Lampur in the past two years, but that didn’t stop them from looking. On October 6, 2019, the KPK conducted yet another sting operation in the province and caught several people, including then Regent of North Lampung. Since then, the investigation and inquisition process continue without much attention. On February 27, 2020, the bribers in the case were declared guilty. Earlier this week, the trial of the disgraced Regent started.
Latest on Corruption in Perum Perindo
On February 24, 2020, the Panel of Judges of the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court read their decision in the case of corruption involving State-Owned Company for Fisheries Perum Perikanan Indonesia (Perum Perindo). Standing trial that day was the briber in the case one Mujib Mustofa. However, despite the large amount of corruption, Mujib was only sentenced to less than two years in prison.
Update on Wawan’s Money Laundering Case
By the end of October 2019, the trial of money laundering suspect Tubagus Chaeri Wardana (Wawan) finally started. Wawan is already a graft convict. While serving his term, he was named a suspect for committing another crime. Now he is standing trial in a separate case from the one of which he was convicted. Since the investigation started years ago, there are already allegations on involvement of actor Rano Karno (who at the time of the incident was vice governor of Banten), and Rano always denied the allegations. During the latest hearing held on February 24, 2020, Rano Karno attended as a witness.
Excise on Commodities with Certain Characteristics
In a meeting with the House of Representatives on February 19, 2020, the Ministry of Finance explained its plan to apply excise duty to various commodities with certain characteristics, including for the use of plastic bags, sugar-sweetened beverages, and commodities that produce CO2 emissions. The plan is under criticism. Many are worried that this policy would reduce people’s purchasing power.
On the Prosecutors Graft Case : The End?
Eight months ago, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a corruption scheme involving prosecutors of the Jakarta High Prosecutor Office and prosecutors of several other regions. The KPK named several suspects, including an official of the High Prosecutors Office. The case should have captured the attention of the national media outlets, but it did not. After several months of trial, on Feb. 24, 2020, the Panel of Judges at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court read their verdict for the bribee in the primary case.
Allegation of fraud at Electronic City
Administrators of PT Electronic City Indonesia Tbk (ECII), a company co-owned by Tommy Winata’s Artha Graha, have handed over the fraud allegation case to the National police. They have also appointed Moh Mahsun public accountant to verify financial losses of the alleged fraud to the company.
Omnibus Law: Tax Facilities
The draft of the Omnibus Law on Tax Facilities for Economic Strengthening was handed over to the House of Representatives several weeks ago. It has not, however, gained as much attention as the draft of the Omnibus Law on Employment Creation.
Latest on the Medan Graft Case
Nearing the end of 2019, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation and arrested the Mayor of Medan. The investigation and inquisition continue to this day. The disgraced Mayor will be prosecuted soon.
Omnibus Law: Environmental Regulations
A part of the draft of the Omnibus Law on Employment Creation that gained plenty of rejection is related to environmental regulations. Environmental activists condemned several changes, including the elimination of the need to obtain an environmental permit. They accuse the Government of disregarding the environment.
Omnibus Law – Employment
The Government finally handed over the draft of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation (Cipta Kerja). The draft was previously named the Omnibus Law on Employment Creation (Cipta Lapangan Kerja), but many contracted its Indonesian name to UU Cilaka (adj. Cursed or Unlucky). Unhappy with the negative connotation, the Government changed Cipta Lapangan Kerja to Cipta Kerja.