KPPU v. Grab Indonesia
Three months after their last announcement, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) finally held the preliminary examination on the allegation of unhealthy business practices committed by Grab Indonesia. The reported party asked for two weeks to submit the answer to the investigators’ accusations. But the Assembly Council only give them time until October 8, 2019.
Judicial Review on the Amendment to the Law on KPK
As expected, the amendment of the Law No. 30/2002 on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) was challenged at the Constitutional Court, even before the President has signed the document. On September 30, 2019, the preliminary examination on the Judicial Review petition was held. The Assembly pointed out several errors that must be corrected by the applicants, and so the hearing was postponed.
Sriwijaya Air and Its Problems
A week ago, we reported that PT Citilink Indonesia had decided to file a lawsuit against PT Sriwijaya Air. The day after we published our report, several national media outlets reported that PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (GIAA), the parent company of Citilink, had decided to remove their name tags from the aircrafts operated by Sriwijaya Air. On the last day of September 2019, two of Sriwijaya Air’s Directors decided to resign from the Company. What is going on?
PKPU of Duniatex Group
Two months ago we reported on the fall of Duniatex Group’s US$300 million bonds, just four months after BNP Paribas SA and Standard Chartered Plc arranged the sale. Since then a series of events have happened. It forced six subsidiaries of the group to face their period of Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU). On September 25, 2019, Sumitro, the CEO of the group, filed a voluntary PKPU.
Update on the Battle against Perpetrators of Forest Fires
As forest fires began to ease in some areas, the police and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry continue to investigate parties suspected of starting the fires. The number of corporate and individual suspects continue to grow.
The Bill to Revise the Law on Mineral and Coal Mining: Where are We Now?
For the past several weeks, we’ve witnessed an open dispute between activists, the Government, and the House of Representatives (DPR). The problem heats up because the DPR insists on wanting to promulgate several bills at the same time before their term ends this week. One of the bills promulgated without any announcement to the public was the bill to revise the provisions in the Law on Corruption Eradication Commission, and this triggered backlash. What started as one problem has now developed into very large and widespread problems. The Student Executive Boards (BEM) from various universities across Indonesia staged rallies demanding many things, including for the authorities to annul the newly promulgated Law on KPK and annual the plan to promulgate several other bills, including the bill to revise the Law No. 4/2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining (UU Minerba). Although we have no clue what makes the student refuse the bill, we do know that the President had asked the DPR to postpone their plan and until now the discussion is ongoing.
On the Water Supply Bribery Case: New Suspects
Towards the end of 2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Sting Operation and uncovered a vast corruption scheme involving civil servants under the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing. The scheme related to the construction of dozens of Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) projects, conducted across Indonesia. Two months ago, the trial ended, and all suspects were convicted, but the KPK did not stop investigating. On September 25, 2019, the KPK named two new suspects in the case, including the member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) one Rizal Djalil.
The New Capital: ITCI Hutani Manunggal
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo braved on with his decision to move the capital city to an area in the neighboring regencies of Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kartanegara despite criticisms. The hot topic being discussed in the past week is the Government’s decision to take over a part of the Industrial Plantation Forest concession (HTI) controlled by PT ITCI Hutani Manunggal (ITCI), member of Sukanto Tanoto’s conglomerate APRIL group. Earlier this week Sukanto interestingly said that he would comply with the Government’s decision even though they would not receive any compensation.
KPK’s Latest Sting Operation
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted yet another Sting Operation in the evening of Sep. 23, 2019. The investigators arrested nine people from the operation, including three executives of State-Owned Company for Fisheries Perum Perikanan Indonesia (Perum Perindo). On Sep. 24, 2019, the KPK named two suspects in the case, including the President Director of Perum Perindo. It’s the 16th sting operation the KPK has conducted in 2019.
On the Plan to Revise the Criminal Code: Contempt of Court (Part I)
The content of most public discussions on the planned revision of the Criminal Code Law concerns moral and religious values. The Bill, however, covers more than just that. The judicial process, for instance, is discussed in detail in Chapter VI, which contains 16 articles related to contempt of court.