In recent years we have seen several examples of poor management of pension funds (dana pension – dapen) for employees of State-owned Enterprises (BUMN). The case related to the Dapen Pertamina, for example, even ensnared high profile convicts, including Edward...

Back in 2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation in North Sumatera and arrested the then Regent of Labuhanbatu, Pangonal Harahap (PDIP). Just like a lot of other graft cases, Pangonal received bribes from local contractors namely Effendy Sahputra (nicknamed Asiong Cobra). The trial ended in 2019. Effendy tried his luck the next year and filed for a Reconsideration (PK) but the attempt failed. Towards the end of January 2024, however, the KPK conducted another sting operation in the same regency and once again arrested the regent, this time Erik Adtrada Ritonga (NasDem). What caught our attention is the fact that the KPK also arrested Effendy and named him suspect as one of the bribers, just four years after he was sentenced. The inquisition and prosecution stage continued far from media coverage. Effendy had been found guilty for the second time and this week Erik was found guilty.

Since the beginning of this year, we have witnessed how the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has responded seriously to various alleged reasons that have resulted in unreasonable airline ticket prices. Towards the end of the year, KPPU finally came to a temporary conclusion that there was an alleged monopoly practice in the sale of fuel (avtur). After going through a long process, KPPU finally decided to start an investigation.

Abdul Gani Kasuba, governor of North Maluku, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in a series of sting operations carried out in several different locations towards the end of 2023. The KPK succeeded in arresting dozens of people but named seven people as suspects in the case of alleged corruption. Among the alleged bribers was a director of PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (NCKL). In May 2024, KPK announced that they began an investigation of alleged money laundering and at the same time expedited the dockets to the stage of prosecution. The prosecutors suspect Kasuba received over Rp90 billion of grafts during his tenure. This week, the Panel of Judges finally declared that Kasuba is guilty.

Back in 2018, a plan was initiated to establish Bandung as a smart city. When Yana Mulyana (Gerindra) was appointed Mayor of Bandung in 2022, the program, Bandung Smart City, was still maximizing its CCTV services and internet services (internet service providers/ISPs). But the plan was tarnished with a case of alleged corruption. In 2023, Yana was found guilty. The investigation however did not stop there. In March 2024, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced the development of the case and named five new suspects including four DPRD members. To everyone’s surprise, last week, three of the new suspects were re-inaugurated as DPRD members for the 2024 to 2029 term. But that did not last long. This week, KPK officially announced their development and immediately detained the new suspects.

It has been nearly a year since we last discussed the tradition of corruption in East Kalimantan, even though it was also a tradition for us to discuss this nearly every year for the past several years. The last discussion was towards the end of 2023 when there was a sting operation carried out by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). This year, as if to continue the tradition, the KPK came with a new investigation on a different case of alleged corruption. There has been no further explanation regarding the case in question, but the KPK has searched the residence of Awang Faroek Ishak, the former governor of the province (now NasDem politician).

H. Jam’an Nurchotib Mansur or better known as Ustadz Yusuf Mansur has been in the public spotlight for the last few years, not because of the religious teachings he conveyed but because of the alleged problematic investments he offered. Yusuf has faced numerous lawsuits but he has avoided all of them, until June last year. The South Jakarta District Court partially granted the lawsuit filed by the victims on one of his businesses, at last. Soon after, a new lawsuit was registered to the Bogor District Court and after nearly a year of examination, last week, Yusuf lost the battle, again.

A case of alleged corruption has hit PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Barat dan Banten Tbk (BJBR). The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there are parties that have marked up advertising placement funds throughout the 2021 to 2023 budget years with an inflated amount reaching 100 percent. Reportedly, five individuals have been named as suspects. This news surprised many parties, but we know this is not the first time Bank BJB has had to deal with the law.

In the domestic aviation industry, we know that the public has been asking for years about the reasons why domestic plane ticket prices can be many times more expensive than flights abroad. Until now, there has been no answer that the public can understand. To make matters worse, stakeholders and policymakers seem confused by the small problems that must be solved. In this case, various allegations have emerged, including allegations of unfair business competition and monopolistic practices. Not long ago, KPPU conveyed what efforts have been made to resolve this problem.

Healthcare service provider, PT Bundamedik Tbk (Bundamedik Healthcare System – BMHS), kicked off its initial public offering in June 2021. Everything looks promising, but there are corporate actions that need to be explained further, that the company and its subsidiaries must face the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU). Last week, Bundamedik was found guilty of being late in notifying the takeover of PT Pintu Ilmu shares. Another examination is still ongoing.