By the end of February 2019, we learned that Sjamsul Nursalim through his legal counsel filed a civil lawsuit against an auditor of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and also against the institution of BPK concerning the audit report on the Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI). Not long before we learned about the lawsuit, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) told the press they had started a new inquisition into the  BLBI graft case, which usually means that the KPK already has a new suspect, but the KPK was silent, until yesterday. On May 28, 2019, the KPK finally admit that they had named Sjamsul as the new suspect in the case. However, there are no further details on the decision. The KPK said they could prosecute Sjamsul in a trial in absentia. But even if later Sjamsul is declared guilty, can the KPK execute the verdict if they use this method to proceed with the investigation?

Back in 2015, we heard of the news on the bankruptcy of PT United Coal Indonesia. At the time, in addition to several assets, the Company also reportedly had shares in PT Karya Putra Borneo. The insolvency process, however, faced several obstacles. Apart from the bankruptcy case, there is also dispute in PT Karya Putra Borneo, and the dispute continues to this day as the Company’s shareholders continue fighting against each other.

The trial of Karen Agustiawan, the former president director of PT Pertamina (Persero) who is now a defendant in the case of alleged corruption related to the purchase of shares of Australia-based ROC Oil Company Limited by Pertamina, will end soon. Last week, the court listened to the Prosecutors’ demands for her.

The former President Director of PT PLN (Persero) Sofyan Basir, who was recently named suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), filed a pre-trial challenging the KPK’s decision. The first hearing was held on May 20, 2019, but as usual, the KPK asked for a postponement of the trial, and the request was granted. Last week, we learned that Sofyan decided to withdraw the lawsuit. That’s not surprising, honestly. What’s surprising is the news that the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) had summoned Sofyan to be examined as a witness in the investigation into the case of alleged corruption related to the Marine Vessels Power Plant (MVPP). Rumors of fraud related to the project had been circulating for years now, and the AGO had previously stated that the procurement did not cause State losses. So why are they investigating this time?

On May 23, 2019, a day after the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court listened to the prosecutors’ demands for Ferry Suando Tanuray Kaban (a defendant in the case of corruption in the North Sumatera DPRD), the Panel of Judges of the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court read their verdicts for several defendants in the same case. The defendants, as we all know, are Ferry’s former colleagues in the North Sumatera DPRD.

Faster than we expected, the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court had on May 23, 2019, deliver their decisions in the case of alleged corruption related to the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) construction projects. The Panel of Judges read the verdicts for the bribers and all four defendants were found guilty.

Four months ago the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Sting Operation in West Java and arrested several individuals, including the Regent of Cirebon Sunjaya Purwadisastra. On May 22, 2019, his trial is over and the Panel of Judges of the Corruption Court at the Bandung District Court declare Sunjaya guilty of corruption. Separately, on the same day, the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court listened to the prosecutors’ demands for Ferry Suando Tanuray Kaban, a defendant in the case of corruption in the North Sumatera DPRD.

After less than two months, the trial of the bribers in the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) construction projects will end soon as the Prosecutors already read their demands for the defendants. Related to the case, on May 15, 2019, the trial of the bribees began. The court listened to the indictment for the defendants.

Towards the end of last week, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reportedly raided several places for a couple of days, including the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries and the office of PT Daya Radar Utama, a Company who operates in the shipyard business. We wonder what happened but decided to wait for the official announcement. On May 21, 2019, the KPK finally announced that they had commenced an investigation into two cases, one of which is the case of alleged corruption in the process of procurement of surveillance vessels for the Directorate General of Customs at the Ministry of Finance. But what is the relation between the Directorate General and the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries?