Beyond the Online Prostitution Case
Less than two weeks ago the police arrested several people in a hotel in East Java, including two celebrities and a businessman allegedly involved in an online prostitution business. The businessman mentioned is reportedly in the business of sand mining in Lumajang. When talking about sand mining in Lumajang, we can’t help but remember Salim Kancil, a local farmer in Lumajang and environmental activist who was brutally murdered in September 2015. The media at the time widely reported on the allegation that Salim Kancil’s rejection of sand mining operations in his village was the reason why he was murdered. Dozens of people were convicted for the murder, but to this day we have no idea who masterminded the crime.
Problems surrounding Bayan Resources
Last year, the Singapore Court of Appeal published its verdict on the petition of PT Bayan Resources Tbk (BYAN) and its subsidiary Bayan International Pte Ltd against the second tranche judgment of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) regarding the fight on the joint venture in Kalimantan, i.e., PT Kaltim Supacoal (KSC). The Court of Appeal decided to dismiss the petition in relation to all of the four main issues except for one matter, on which the Court of Appeal decided to remit the question to the SICC. On January 9, 2019, the SICC issued their decision.
Corruption in Central Kalimantan: The Trial
Back in October 2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Sting Operation and uncovered a case of bribery. The case gained attention as one of the suspects named in the case is then Vice President Director of PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology Tbk (SMAR) who is also the Director of PT Binasawit Abadi Pratama (BAP) one Edy Saputra Suradja. The trial of the bribee was held several weeks ago, and the latest hearing was held on January 16, 2019.
On Riau Power Plant Graft Case: Indictment for Idrus Marham
On January 15, 2019, the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court held the first hearing of former Minister of Social Affairs Idrus Marham, who stands trial as a defendant in the case of alleged corruption related to the construction of the Riau Power Plant.
Disputes on Central Steel’s Bankruptcy
PT Central Steel Indonesia (CSI) failed to convinced its creditors and was thus declared bankrupt back in 2017. But we know that in addition to financial problems, the Company was also in the center of a criminal case related to fictitious credit facility from PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (BMRI). The case have convicted two of the Company’s executives, but problems remain. Since the end of 2017, there is one person who constantly filed lawsuits related to the Company’s assets, i.e., one Goey King Cheen. The same person recently filed a different lawsuit against different parties who are still related to the Company’s dispute. All lawsuits Goey King Cheen filed demanded compensation of dozens of billions.
Towards the First Presidential Debate
The first presidential debate will be held tomorrow (Jan. 17). The issues discussed will be related to the law, human rights, corruption, and terrorism. Representatives of each presidential pair have said that they’re ready to debate.
The DPD Power Play
The struggle for the leadership of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) has been going on since 2017. By the end of December 2018, the Honorary Council of the DPD decided to temporarily dismiss Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas (the Queen of Yogyakarta) from her leadership position in the DPD. GKR Hemas responded to the decision by promising to file another Judicial Review at the Constitutional Court—GKR Hemas and several members of the DPD had filed a Judicial Review before the brawl happened in April 2017, but the court rejected the petition.
On Novel Baswedan’s Case: The Fact-Finding Team
As we all know, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel Baswedan was attacked with acid in April 2017. Two years and dozens of investigations later, we still have no explanation on what had happened. Several days ago, the Chief of the National Police General Tito Karnavian formed a Fact-Finding Team (TGPF) tasked with unraveling the case in the next six months. The TGPF was formed per the recommendations of the National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM), but some parties have called on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo for being opportunistic.
On OSO’s DPD Nomination
In July 2018, the Constitutional Court decided to ban political party officials from becoming members of the Regional Representative Council (DPD). In response, the General Election Commission (KPU) issued a KPU Regulation (PKPU) No. 26/2018 (which also revised PKPU No. 14/2018) and canceled the nomination of several individuals, including Oesman Sapta Odang (OSO), the current leader of the DPD, who is also the Chairman of Hanura. OSO objected to the KPU decision and took the PKPU 26 to the Supreme Court. In the last week of October 2018, the Supreme Court granted OSO’s lawsuit. OSO then reported the KPU to the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) on the allegation of administrative violation and election crime.
On the Dapen Pertamina Graft Case: Verdict for Edward Soeryadjaya
The Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court finally read the verdict for Edward Soeryadjaya, son of William Soeryadjaya and founder of PT Sugih Energy Tbk (SUGI). Edward was made defendant on the case of misplaced investments made by Dana Pensiun Pertamina and was sentenced to 12 years and six months imprisonment. It is interesting to note that although the Panel of Judges said Edward was not the main perpetrator in the case, his punishment is far more substantial than the sentence given to the main perpetrator, i.e., former President Director of Dana Pensiun Pertamina one M. Helmi Kamal Lubis.