The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) did well in 2017 with 19 sting operations (OTT), but they upped their game in 2018, however, with 28 OTTs so far. There are still those who believe that more can be done, but the KPK has been struggling with the lack of human resources. Beyond that, the KPK has also been having internal issues. One wonder if the troubles within will continue to plague the institution in the future.

Several months ago the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) punished PT Darma Henwa Tbk (DEWA) for violating the law. Less than a month after the verdict was read, DEWA filed their objections at the South Jakarta District Court. The Court has ruled in favor of the KPPU. Meanwhile, the KPPU had finished the examination on the alleged violation committed by Loan Cooperative Union JASA (Kospin JASA). Kospin JASA was declared guilty.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation on December 12, 2018 in Cianjur, West Java. The KPK’s Deputy Chief Basaria Panjaitan told the press that they had received a tip from the public on August 30, 2018, from which they found a number of clues and preliminary evidence to finally assign a team of investigators into this case.

Last week we reported that Rudhy Lontoh (a senior advocate) and his son Edward Lontoh had filed a bankruptcy lawsuit against the Hermijanto siblings. Several days after the report, we learned that Hendra Hermijanto and Indra Hermijanto also filed a lawsuit against Lontoh & Partners (a law office established by Rudhy and Edward) and against PT Desain Teknologi Indonesia. Hendra and Indra accused the law office and the Company of tort. Separately, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) began the hearing on the case of alleged cartel practices in relation to salt prices. The KPPU finally revealed name of the companies allegedly involved in the scheme.

Towards the end on July 2018, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo promulgated the President Regulation (Perpres) No. 54/2018 on National Strategy for the Prevention of Corruption. On August 15, 2018, several officials of the relevant ministries gathered to discuss the implementation of said regulation. In October 2018, leaders of five institutions signed a Joint Decree (SKB) which outlined some of the main focus points in the National Strategy (Stranas), one of which is revamping licensing and trading procedures. Last week, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that they were working towards following the Stranas.

PT Internux, the operator of BOLT, was able to convince its creditors to agree to their peace proposal, and so on October 30, 2018, the majority of its creditors agreed to resolve the dispute in peace. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics, however, submitted a cassation to challenge the peace deal. The Ministry is still considering the revocation of frequency usage licenses for Internux and its parent company PT First Media Tbk (KBLV).