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, 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, this week the prosecutors had read their demands for the Effendy, again.

Back in 2021, we’re exposed to the scandalous case involving tax officials. As a result of the investigation commenced by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), four tax consultants and officials of the Directorate General have been found guilty. Among the officials is one Angin Prayitno Aji, who allegedly masterminds the scheme for years, he was later convicted for committing money laundering. This week, the remaining officials have finally been found guilty and the decision perhaps will put an end to the entire process. However, questions remain.

The corruption scheme carried out by the then Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (NasDem), was quite shocking to the public. However, it turns out that Syahrul’s efforts to deceive all parties did not stop there. In the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigation process, Syahrul used the legal services of former KPK spokesperson, Febri Diansyah, and another former KPK employee, Rasamala Aritonang. Both of them are suspected of providing legal opinions using documents that should be confidential. This week, Febri appeared at the trial and is known to have received an honorarium worth more than Rp3 billion.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo finally signed Government Regulation (PP) no. 25/2024 which amends PP No. 96/2021 concerning Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities. The amendments contain several new clauses, including that special mining business license areas or WIUPK can be offered on a priority basis to business entities owned by religious community organizations. The amendment plan was previously said to have caused a debate between the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan, and the Minister of Investment, Bahlil Lahadalia. Nevertheless, after the changes were finally promulgated, the provisions caused stir in the public.

Back in 2022, along with two other cases of alleged corruption in Papua, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigated the similar allegation which occurred in Mimika Regency. The case was related to the construction project of Kingmi Mile 32 Church. Far from media coverage, the investigation and inquisition into the case continues with a bit of a bump. This week, the remaining defendants have been found guilty.

Towards the end of last week, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that they had named several suspects, all of whom were former officials of PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk (ANTM), in a case of alleged corruption. The public was shocked, especially because national media outlets reported that this case allegedly resulted in the circulation of fake gold. Of course this is wrong, but what caught our attention was not the misleading news, but the names of the suspects. Among the suspects are two familiar names who have already been imprisoned in two different cases, cases which we have been reporting on for several years. The current investigation, apparently, also has been reported since 2022.

The investigation into the case of alleged corruption related to the tin trading system carried out in the Mining Business License (IUP) area owned by PT Timah Tbk (TINS) is getting even more interesting. This week, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) named an official of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources as a new suspect in the case. The institution also named six suspects as suspects in the new case of alleged money laundering. By now, the criminal scheme had ensnared 22 suspects in three different cases.

We all know how 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. After previously the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) succeeded in ensnaring the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari Batubara (PDIP) for actively involved in the crime, the KPK has uncovered another similar corruption scheme. Trial of the defendants continues far from media coverage. This week, the prosecutors had read their demands.

In the beginning of this year, the new set of leaders of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) for the 2023 – 2028 term of office has started working. The commission published their initiative to achieve their work targets which consisted of three main sectors, namely energy (oil and gas), digital markets, and food security. In terms of digital markets, as we all know, prior to the appointment of the new leaders, the KPPU has started an investigation into Google. Then, the new leaders announced that it had completed an investigation into Shopee. This week the trial of the company started.

In its commitment to fulfill work priority promise regarding business behavior in the digital market, apart from continuing its examination on Shopee, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) is also conducting examination of other service providers. This week the KPPU announced its latest investigation into alleged violations related to PT Ecart Webportal Indonesia, the company that operates Lazada Indonesia.