The Trans-Seram Graft Case: Questions Unanswered
In January 2016 the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Sting Operation that lead to the arrest of the then member of the House Commission V of the House of Representatives from PDI-P Damayanti Wisnu Putranti. The Sting Operation uncovered a corruption scheme in the construction of the Trans-Seram project. The investigation into the case quickly developed and to this day eight individuals, including three members of the House Commission V from three different political parties, have been convicted. Two suspects are left, including Musa Zainuddin (PKB) whose trial will end soon. Many questions, however, are still left unanswered.
The Yayasan Supersemar Dispute: The End?
It has been more than two years after the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) won the Reconsideration (PK) against Yayasan Supersemar, a foundation belonging to the family of former President Soeharto. The foundation was ordered to compensate the State in the amount of Rp4.4 trillion, but the verdict could not be executed yet because the foundation fought back and filed for a tort lawsuit in January 2016. Last week, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the AGO and rejected the tort lawsuit in the stage of cassation.
KPK and the Borrowed Investigators
Two weeks ago, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that they had returned two investigators from the Police because their term of service had expired. Many people questioned this decision, but the KPK said it was common practice. In exchange, the KPK received six new investigators. Earlier this week, several national media outlets reported that the two investigators returned were given heavy sanctions, and that they were returned after being alleged of tampering with evidence, i.e., financial records of companies owned by Basuki Hariman, a cattle importer convicted for bribing the former Constitutional Justice Patrialis Akbar.
Corporations in Cases of Corruption
The public prosecutor of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) read their demands for Dudung Purwadi, the former president director of PT Duta Graha Indah or DGI (now PT Nusa Konstruksi Enjiniring Tbk), who is now standing trial for his involvement in two cases of corruption related to the construction of South Sumatera Provincial Multipurpose Building (Wisma Atlet). The prosecutors asked the panel of judges to order the Company to compensate the State for losses.
Fireworks Ventures v. MCOR
On October 28, 2017 the legal counsel of one Edy Nusantara representing Fireworks Ventures Limited sent a letter to the Financial Service Authority (OJK) to seek protection in relation to a dispute that Fireworks had entered into with PT Bank China Construction Bank Indonesia Tbk (MCOR). This dispute has been going on for several years now, and it involves parties that goes back to the Government’s attempt to rescue the banking sector from the 1998 economic crisis through the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (BPPN).
Corruption in PT Dok dan Perkapalan Surabaya (Persero)
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) continues to investigate allegations of corruption involving State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN). This time, the target is PT Dok dan Perkapalan Surabaya (Persero). The allegation of corrupt practice in said BUMN made rounds in 2010 and currently the AGO has named 4 suspects. Interestingly, one of the suspects is Muhammad Firmansyah Arifin, who is a defendant in a different corruption case involving another BUMN, PT PAL Indonesia (Persero).
Plaza Lifestyle Prima (fX Sudirman) v. Cinemaxx
PT Cinemaxx Global Pacific (Cinemaxx) has to face a lawsuit filed by PT Plaza Lifestyle Prima, the management of the fX Sudirman shopping center. The lawsuit was registered at the Tangerang District Court, Banten, on October 24, 2017 related to leasing agreement dispute.
Multipolar v. Kharisma Artha Sejati et al.
The South Jakarta District Court registered a tort lawsuit under Case No. 732/Pdt.G/2017/PN JKT.SEL on October 25, 2017. The lawsuit was filed by PT Multipolar Tbk (MLPL) against three defendants including its own subsidiary PT Kharisma Artha Sejati.
E-KTP Judge Transferred
Earlier this week, the judge that had been presiding over the trial of Andi Agustinus a.k.a. Andi Narogong (a suspect in the electronic identity card (E-KTP) graft case), Judge Jhon Halasan Butarbutar, received a promotion and thus became a High Judge of the Pontianak High Court in West Kalimantan. This news shocked many as the trial of Andi Narogong is still ongoing. Judge Jhon is regarded as a fierce judge as he loves to argue against the defendants of the corruption case that he’s presiding over, he did not even hesitate to reprimand the witnesses who he deemed problematic.
SinemArt’s Shareholding Dispute: Appeal
The dispute between two of the biggest television companies, PT Media Nusantara Citra Tbk (MNCN belonging to Hary Tanoesoedibjo) and PT Surya Citra Media Tbk (SCMA controlled by the Sariaatmadja family), over the shareholding in PT Sinemart Indonesia will not end in the near future. Two weeks ago, the Panel of Judges at the West Jakarta District Court decided not to accept the verzet petition, or resistance to the in absentia verdict, filed by PT Sinemart Indonesia. Sinemart and its owner Leo Sutanto said they would file for an appeal this week.