Since Monday, September 2, 2019, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has conducted three Sting Operations for three consecutive days in three regions located on three different islands. Impressive. The first operation was performed in South Sumatera on Monday. The Regent of Muara Enim one Ahmad Yani (Demokrat) was arrested.

By the end of 2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced that they had commenced a new investigation into the case of alleged bribery in Jepara, Central Java. It was later revealed that the parties ensnared in the case are the Regent of Jepara one Ahmad Marzuqi and Judge Lasito, a judge in the Semarang District Court. The investigation was not preceded with a sting operation; perhaps this is why the KPK needed longer time to begin the trials. In August 2019, the KPK’s Prosecutors had read their demands for Marzuqi and Lasito. On September 3, 2019, the Panel of Judges read their verdicts.

The Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court finally held the first hearing of the trial of Natan Pasomba, the latest defendant who was involved in the budget mafia case. The shocking case, as we all know, was uncovered after the KPK conducted a Sting Operation in mid-2018 and until today there are several high profile politicians and even regional leaders named suspect as a result of the development of the investigation. During the latest hearing, the KPK Prosecutors read their indictment for Natan. 

It has been three years since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a scheme of corruption in the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) and the case had brought down seven convicts, but the investigation continues to this day. Currently, there is one ongoing trial and an ongoing inquisition on four new suspects. The latest hearing of the trial was held on September 2, 2019.

We have followed the dispute between PT Kawasan Berikat Nusantara (KBN)—a state-owned bonded zone operator—and PT Karya Citra Nusantara (KCN)—KBN’s joint venture company KBN established with PT Karya Tekhnik Utama (KTU)—for two years. The dispute was made public after KBN filed a tort lawsuit to the North Jakarta District Court. KBN won the proceedings up to the stage of appeal. The parties are currently waiting for the examination in the stage of cassation at the Supreme Court. Both parties hold on to their own version of the story. On Saturday we had the chance to ask for clarification on several things directly from the President Director of KCN.

In 2017, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a case involving a Constitutional Court Judge Patrialis Akbar. The suspects in the case were indicted by the end of the same year. In 2018, Patrialis Akbar tried his luck by filing a Reconsideration (PK). The Supreme Court has reportedly partially granted the petition and reduced Patrialis Akbar’s sentence. 

The examination into the allegation of cartel practices related to soaring ticket rates and cargo transportation in the national aviation industry had been completed, and the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) had scheduled the trial to begin earlier this week. However, the trial must be postponed. Interesting to note that KPPU decided to terminate the examination into other allegations regarding multiple positions (cross-ownership) held by Garuda Indonesia’s officials in Sriwijaya Air.

Back in March 2019, the Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Walhi) filed a lawsuit against the Governor of Aceh. It challenged the Governor’s decision to issue the Izin Pinjam Pakai Kawasan Hutan (IPPKH) to PT Kamirzu for the construction of PLTA Tampur-I (443 MW). After five months of proceedings, on August 28, 2019, the Panel of Judges of the Banda Aceh State Administrative Court (PTUN Banda Aceh) ruled in favor of Walhi. The Government said it would consider filing for an appeal.

The Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court continues the trial of Bowo Sidik Pangarso (Golkar), a member of the House Commission VI of the House of Representatives. In the hearing held on August 28, 2019, the prosecutors summoned four important witnesses to testify.