Updates on Dudung Purwadi and DGIK’s Case
Dudung Purwadi, the former president Director of PT Duta Graha Indah or DGI (now PT Nusa Konstruksi Enjiniring Tbk – DGIK), who is a suspect on two different cases of corruption, faced his first trial session on July 31, 2017. On August 9, 2017, the trial continued. The court listened to the statements of the former Director of Marketing of PT Anak Negeri (Permai Group) Mindo Rosalina Manullang, who was convicted in the principal case. Rosalina repeated the testimonies she gave to the investigators back in 2011. Apart from the trial, DGIK returned a sum of Rp15 billion to the Corruption Eradication Commission. The Company said the money was assurance that they would be cooperative with the inquisition process. Some, however, see this as the Company confirmed their involvement in corruption.
KPK’s Latest OTT and Corruption of Village Funds
The allocation and distribution of village funds has been subject to debates since the beginning of the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. In 2015, three Ministers signed a Joint Decree (SKB) to accelerate the disbursement of village funds after the President learned that out of the 74,093 villages listed in the program, only 18,000 villages had received the village funds allocated for 2015. Two years later, on August 2, 2017, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a Sting Operation (OTT) in the Regency of Pamekasan in East Java and named five government officials, including the Regent as suspects of bribery related to the management of village funds. This OTT confirmed the public’s concern on the issue.
Updates on Le Minerale v. Aqua
PT Tirta Fresindo Jaya (TFJ), a manufacturer of Bottled Drinking Water (AMDK) with its Le Minerale brand, is still in a dispute with two of their rivals: PT Tirta Investama (TI is producer of Aqua) and PT Balina Agung Perkasa (BAP is a distributor of Aqua). The dispute was examined after statements from some sellers that Aqua producers and distributors asked them not to sell the Le Minerale brand. The prohibition was even reportedly accompanied by threats and intimidation that meet the allegation of elements of monopolistic practices and unfair business competition.
PT Garam’s Woes: A Development
The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim Polri) named the President Director of PT Garam (Persero) Achmad Boediono a crime suspect in mid June, and in less than two months the Bareskrim completed the docket for prosecution. Since the beginning of the case, however, the Minister of Marine and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti has sided with the State-Owned Company (BUMN). She said that she was the one who gave PT Garam the import recommendation. Minister Susi said she had to do so in view of the cartel that dominated with their one-door import policy. The Minister strongly defended PT Garam, and took to her personal Twitter account for clarification. And then the Ministry of Trade also granted another importation license for PT Garam despite the on-going investigation. Is the Bareskrim alone in this?
Berkat Bumi Citra’s Bankruptcy
Last year, PT Berkat Bumi Citra (BBC) was sued by one of its creditors over a debt dispute. The Company was able to escape bankruptcy in the first week of December 2016. But on August 2, 2017, the peace agreement was annulled by the Central Jakarta District Court. The Company was subsequently announced bankrupt.
Patrialis Akbar’s Graft Case: The Defendants’ Plea
Basuki Hariman and his secretary Ng Fenny, the two suspected bribers in the graft case involving the former Constitutional Court (MK) Justice Patrialis Akbar, read their plea in the hearing held on August 7, 2017. Fenny begged for mercy, while Basuki continued to deny his involvement in the case. In a separate hearing held for Patrialis, the intermediary in the case Kamaludin again appeared as a witness.
Miryam’s Trial and KPK’s Appeal
On July 13, 2017, the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court held the first hearing on the trial of Miryam S. Haryani, the Hanura politician and former member of the House Commission II of the House of Representatives, who was named a suspect of perjury related to the E-KTP graft case. The hearing went by briefly with the agenda of listening to the prosecutors’ indictment. Miryam stood firm and denied the charges in the indictment. She claimed that the KPK had no rights to investigate for perjury. On August 7, 2017, the Panel of Judges decided in favor of the KPK and denied Miryam’s objection.
Updates on PT Berdikari’s Graft Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have been investigating allegations of corruption in PT Berdikari (Persero) related to the procurement of urea fertilizer since February 2016. One suspect had been convicted. By the end of July 2017, the KPK detained the remaining five suspects.
Nyonya Meneer’s Bankruptcy
The ninety-eight years old PT Nyonya Meneer, the legendary Indonesian herbal company, must accept bankruptcy after the Commercial Court of the Semarang District Court in Central Java decided to cancel the peace agreement that the Company signed with its creditors back in 2015. The cancellation of the peace agreement was requested by one of the Company’s creditors, i.e., Hendrianto Bambang Santoso. It was granted on August 3, 2017. The Company, however, said they had no idea that this would happen because the Company was in a healthy condition.
Bank Capital vs Bukit Uluwatu Shareholders
PT Bank Capital Tbk (BACA) has filed tort lawsuit against main shareholders of PT Bukit Uluwatu Tbk (BUVA), a hospitality company listed on IDX famous with its Alila brands. The lawsuits have been registered to the South Jakarta District Court last week.