Another Lawsuit against Eterindo Wahanatama
Over the past two years, PT Eterindo Wahanatama Tbk (ETWA), a chemical products traders, has been sued three times by its creditors and all lawsuits are related to debts issues. Fortunately the Company was able to resolve its issues out of court. The last lawsuit filed in the middle of last year was also revoked by the plaintiff. But recently, the Company was once again sued; this time by several people who appeared to be the Company’s employees.
PKPU for PT Jaya Smart Technology
On January 8, 2018, PT Bank OCBC NISP Tbk (NISP) filed a lawsuit for Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) against PT Jaya Smart Technology of Royal Standard group. The Panel of Judges of the Commercial Court of the Central Jakarta District Court granted the lawsuit and so the Company is in their temporary PKPU, which will be valid for 45 days. So far, the Company reportedly owes 81 creditors, including Luxembourg’s Molucca Holdings S.à.r.l.. What interesting from the case is that NISP did not only sue the Company but also three other parties including the founder of the Company one Untung Sastrawijaya, who was convicted for his involvement in a case of corruption back in 2006.
Ganjar Pranowo and the E-KTP Graft Case
The trial of and investigations into the electronic identity card (E-KTP) procurement case continue. Several interesting things happened in the past week. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) appears to have intensified their investigations by examining several politicians, particularly Ganjar Pranowo, the PDI-P politician and the governor of Central Java. Ganjar also attended the trial of Setya Novanto as a witness.
KPK’s Latest Sting Operation: Regent of Ngada
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted their latest Sting Operation on February 11, 2018 and arrested three individuals, one of whom is the Regent of Ngada in East Nusa Tenggara one Marianus Sae.
Update on the Trans-Seram Graft Case
It has been over two years since the Trans-Seram graft case was uncovered. The Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court has convicted nine people involved in the case, but the KPK still has more to investigate. The case that brought down several members of House Commission V of the House of Representatives, recently made news again with the latest defendant in the case, i.e., Yudi Widiana Adia (PKS), who is suspected of money laundering. The KPK has found more traces of Yudi’s crime beyond the Trans-Seram graft case.
Peace for PT Multi Structure
PT Multi Structure entered their period of Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) in May 2017, after having previously escaped several similar claims. With a total debt value of more than Rp1 trillion, the Company apparently needed the maximum time limit allowed by law to convince its creditors to accept their peace proposals. At the last meeting of creditors held on February 6, 2018, the majority of the Company’s creditors accepted its peace proposal.
PT PAL Indonesia v. Mediterranea di Navigazione SpA
The Central Jakarta District Court registered a resistance lawsuit filed by state-owned shipyard company PT PAL Indonesia (Persero) on January 29, 2018. What’s interesting from the lawsuit is the name of the defendant, i.e., Italia-based Mediterranea di Navigazione SpA. The lawsuit aims to question arbitration award decided by Timothy (Tim) Marshall, the sole arbitrator who examineed the dispute between the two parties at the London arbitration. The award was published in 2015, and the last news on the dispute was reported back in July 2017, but the dispute actually started way back in 2006.
PLN and Sugico Group’s Graft Case
The Jakarta High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati Jakarta) reportedly has issued a warrant for the commencement of inquisition (sprindik) to uncover the corruption in the procurement of coal for PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) in Muara Enim, Palembang, South Sumatera. Kejati has yet to provide further details about this process but some national media outlets have reported that there is already an estimate amount of State losses due to the deviation. Then who should be held accountable?
Fredrich Yunadi and Advocate Immunity
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) recently decided to expand their investigation into the electronic identity cards (E-KTP) graft case. They arrested Setya Novanto’s ex-lawyer Fredrich Yunadi as a result. The public appreciated this move, but Fredrich’s colleagues have questions. They wonder how advocate immunity applies and they also question the reach of the law.
Problems with Bali Energy and the PLTP Bedugul
The development of the Bedugul Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP Bedugul) in Bali was first planned in the 1970s, but the project did not see traction until 2013. The Government had hoped for project commencement in 2014 with 2017 as completion target. The plan was for a joint operation contract (JOC) between PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy and PT Bali Energy Limited as project developers. But Bali Energy experienced internal problems, which continues to this day. On February 1, 2018, Bali Energy must again face a lawsuit from its creditors.