KPK’s Performance and the Political Year
The year 2016 was a prolific year for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). They conducted 16 Sting Operations (OTT) in total. The year 2017, however, the KPK increased their performance. They conducted 19 OTT, covering the span of the Country. But what about this year? We’re only months away from the start of the 2019 presidential race. Politics will be lively. Will the KPK outperform themselves again? Will they be able to stay unaffected by all the politicking?
Corporate Actions to Watch
PT Indonesia AirAsia has officially become part of publicly listed company PT Rimau Multi Pratama (RMPP). RMPP was renamed PT AirAsia Indonesia Tbk (RMPP) following the completion of acquisition. RMPP acquired a 57.25% of the Indonesian arm of Malaysia-based low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd. on Friday (Dec. 29), followed by the conclusion of its rights issue and divestment of its coal trading and transportation business on the same day.
KPK’s Homework and 2019 Politics
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is so far seen as the most trustworthy institution in this Republic. Public support is high. That is evident in the House of Representatives (DPR) latest effort in inquiring the KPK. But public perception aside, the KPK could still be used for politics. This is a risk for the KPK in general given he nature of their work, but it is especially relevant in connection with the 2019 presidential race.
Reclamation in Semarang
The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN Jakarta) received a petition concerning the reclamation license filed by PT Sinar Centra Cipta, the developer of an industrial area in Semarang, Central Java. The petition was filed against the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and mentioned several demands. The island reclamation in Semarang has not been subject to national attention, but it’s interesting nonetheless. The dispute has been going on since before 2010.
Brantas Abipraya
The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (Kemen-PUPR) is working on some improvements with the Jakarta Presidential Palace’s drainage system to minimize flood risk. This construction work is done by State-Owned company PT Brantas Abipraya. PT Brantas Abipraya is an interesting company to discuss.
PKPU for PT Menara Perkasa Margahayuland
PT Menara Perkasa Margahayuland, a subsidiary of PT Margahayu Land Development (MLD), is in their period of Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) after the Panel of Judges of the Commercial Court at the Central Jakarta District Court received the lawsuit filed by one of the buyer of their apartment unit in The Kencana Residence, Pondok Indah. By the time team of administrators and the Company held the latest meeting of creditors, the Company recorded a total debt of over Rp700 billion.
Revisiting the Antaboga and Bank Century Case
PT Antaboga Delta Securities, an investment company owned by Bank Century’s Robert Tantular was deemed responsible for the material losses experienced by its customers back in 2011, and Bank Century should thus compensate for damages. Bank J Trust Indonesia, the current name of Bank Mutiara, which is the precursor of Bank Century, refuses to do so. On December 27, 2017, the Surakarta District Court decided to execute the legally binding verdict, but it is just too late.
North Maluku and the KPK
The Governor of North Maluku Abdul Gani Kasuba (of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS)) visited the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) last week. He asked for the KPK’s assistance in the process of discussing North Maluku’s 2018 Regional Budget (RAPBD 2018) draft. Abdul expressed his suspicion of irregularities in the process.
Corruption Journal: TPPI, E-KTP, and the Bakamla Graft Case
Law enforcement authorities have had an eventful December. The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim Polri) held a press conference to explain the progress of their investigation into corruption in PT Trans Pacific Petrochemical Indotama (TPPI) and BP Migas (now Satuan Kerja Khusus Pelaksana Kegiatan Usaha Hulu Minyak dan Gas Bumi — SKK Migas), whereas the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has been busy investigating the E-KTP graft case. There’s also a development in the trial of Bambang Udoyo, the first military officer named a suspect in the Bakamla bribery case.
Novanto’s Trial
The Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court held the latest hearing on the trial of E-KTP graft suspect Setya Novanto on December 20, 2017. Setya Novanto and his legal counsels read their answer to the indictment the prosecutors of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had prepared. Setya Novanto and the legal counsels questioned the difference in the number of parties that supposedly benefited from the project and they asked the Panel of Judges to stop the proceedings and to rehabilitate Setya Novanto’s name.