Of all the problems currently plaguing State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), companies based outside Jakarta are not free from problems, even though they are far from the media spotlight. Not long ago, PT Barata Indonesia (Persero), a State-owned foundry manufacturing company was sued for bankruptcy.

After years of investigation, earlier this year the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) finally announced the progress of the investigation into the case of alleged corruption at the Ministry of Manpower and named suspects including one Reyna Usman, a PKB politician. This week, Reyna and the other suspects finally stand trial as defendants.

The trial of the case of corruption involving officials of the Directorate General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation is still ongoing and we know the case concerns railway projects in several different regions and therefore are examined by different district courts. Throughout the court proceedings, names of other parties allegedly involved in the scandal were mentioned, including high profile figures. Recently, the KPK detained the latest suspect in the case.

We’ve been shown in the court proceeding of how Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL), former minister of agriculture and politician from NasDem party, excessively used his position for the benefit of his own family and party. In the midst of court hearings, we read news about what might have been signals of similar practices committed by the current agriculture minister Andi Amran Sulaiman (AAS).

Achsanul Qosasi, member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) (former lawmaker from Demokrat Party), was named suspect by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) towards the end of 2023 for his alleged involvement in the case of alleged corruption related to a project at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics. For some, this is a long overdue announcement, however, the process after that continues without much surprises. Achsanul finally stood trial in March 2024 and within only two months, the prosecutors had read their demands. In the middle of the trial, we learned that Achsanul supposedly received a whopping Rp40 billion from the scheme, but he had returned the money. This is why Achsanul asked to be acquitted in his defense plea. But we all know the law does not allow that.

The former Mayor of Bima, Muhammad Lutfi, was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in October last year. The Golkar politician was discovered to have included his family in carrying out a corruption scheme by taking advantage of his position. Far from the media spotlight, Lutfi faced trial in January 2024 and was recently found guilty, however, the decision is a bit odd.

With the aim of being an alternative internet service provider in Indonesia, Starlink’s presence has received various responses in the public. Many support it, but there are also concerns that Starlink’s entry into the retail internet services market will have an impact on unhealthy business competition. Responding to this, recently the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) held a focus group discussion to address this situation.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Social Affairs, which is supposed to guarantee the welfare of the people, was instead involved in a whirlpool of corruption. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) succeeded in uncovering corruption schemes in the Ministry, not once but twice. After ensnaring the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari Batubara (PDIP) for actively involved in the first crime, the KPK uncovered another similar corruption scheme. Trial of the defendants continues far from media coverage. This week, the defendants have been found guilty.

Back in 2022, an interesting lawsuit was filed by PT Bank Mayapada Internasional Tbk against several companies as well as one Suganda Setiadikurnia (or Setiadi Kurnia). This case relates to collateral disputes, a common occurrence in business. What is unusual is the fact that since the beginning of the year Suganda is wanted by the police. Since then, several other lawsuits were filed against Suganda while he’s still on the run including a PKPU lawsuit. However, recently, we learned that Suganda had filed a different lawsuits against Bank Artha Graha et al. How interesting.

The problematic PT Asuransi Jiwa Kresna (known as Kresna Life linked to PT Kresna Graha Investama Tbk – KREN) managed to avoid bankruptcy in February 2021 only to have the decision annulled by the Supreme Court. The firm is declared bankrupt. Two years after the chaotic dispute was made known to the public, the police announced that they had named the President Director of Kresna Life as suspect in an ongoing investigation into a criminal case. Months later, the investigation developed into another case of alleged money laundering involving affiliated companies. All this happened while the firm’s license had been revoked by the Financial Service Authority (OJK). Earlier this year, however, the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN Jakarta) decided to annul OJK’s decision. But the OJK decided to appeal, leaving the policyholders in despair.