DJBC and the Problematic Supercars
The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) is once again under attack. Initially DJBC was criticized for implementing the Regulation of the Minister of Trade in a reckless way, but the issue quickly raises other problems which have long been the subject of criticism. Some have come forward to claim their possessions which have been held back even after years without clarity, some complained about the unreasonable fines, but some are trying to ride the wave. In the middle of the mayhem, a Malaysian businessman, Kenneth Koh Kiek Lun, submitted a report against the DJBC to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on allegations of abuse of authority. At the heart of the problem is a baffling case of alleged supercars smuggling which had been uncovered since 2022. The case, interestingly, also concerns one Rudy Salim Gunawan of Prestige Image Motorcars.
KPK v Bumigas Energi : The Feud Continues
Several years have passed since the last time we heard of the dispute between PT Bumigas Energi and PT Geo Dipa Energi (Persero) and the past couple of years have been very quiet so we thought it was over. However, we’re wrong. Recently we learned that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) filed a lawsuit against Bumigas through the Jakarta State Administrative Report (PTUN Jakarta).
Trial of Gazalba Saleh, Again
The disgraced Supreme Court Justice, Justice Gazalba Saleh, who was supposedly involved in the allegation of case brokers that rocked the Supreme Court was acquitted by the Panel of Judges of the notorious Corruption Court at the Bandung District Court. There was nothing surprising because this is not the first time this court has acquitted a graft defendant. KPK tried to appeal, but the Supreme Court, unsurprisingly, decided in favor of the previous court decision. Gazalba Saleh is free once again, but not for long. KPK redetain Saleh several months later in another case of allegedly receiving grafts and committing money laundering. This week, Saleh faces trial, again.
On Corruption in DJBC : Eko Darmanto
Towards the end of 2023, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) officially announced the latest case of alleged corruption at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) and has named the former Head of the Customs and Excise Office in Yogyakarta, Eko Darmanto, as suspect. The disclosure of this case was part of the crackdown which also ultimately ensnared Andhi Pramono, the one who led the institution’s office in Makassar, South Sulawesi. Similar to Andhi’s case, Eko is trapped in his own habit of showing off his wealth. Eko will face trial soon.
Latest on the Troubled Amarta Karya
It has been a while since the investigation into the case of alleged corruption in State-owned construction company, PT Amarta Karya (Persero), started. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named two suspects in the case back in May 2023 and the court proceedings continued far from media coverage. All this happened while Amarta Karya’s vendors and business partners have been trying to force the company to restructure its debts through the PKPU process. The company managed to avoid bankruptcy in the last week of September 2023. Several months later the defendants had been declared guilty. This week, the KPK announced that they had named two new suspects.
Latest on Aviation Cartel
Back in 2019, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) examined allegations on cartel-like practices related to soaring ticket rates and cargo transportation in the national aviation industry. The KPPU read its decision in 2020 amid the pandemic and declared the reported parties guilty, albeit not of cartel-like practices. Last month, the KPPU summoned the parties to ensure their compliance with the implementation of the decision, especially because similar situations, namely high domestic flight ticket prices, still occur.
On Corruption in PT Timah : Sriwijaya Air
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. Over a month ago we reported the suspicion that one of the potential suspects was related to Sriwijaya Air and towards the end of last week, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) proved that the suspicion is correct. The AGO announced five new suspects in the case, one of whom is Hendry Lie, the founder of Sriwijaya Air. By now, there are already 21 suspects in two different cases.
KPK’s Latest Internal Conflict
In the midst of attacks on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) from various parties, the commission’s internal situation has apparently worsened. Recently, internal conflicts have become increasingly common. This situation is unfortunate because it seems that the commission’s performance has been hindered by their own mistakes. However, we know that internal conflict has always existed within the anti-corruption commission.
On Corruption in Aneka Tambang and NasDem
Trials of the defendants in the case of alleged corruption related to PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) are reaching the end. One of the most important defendants, namely the former Director General of Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ridwan Djamaluddin, has been found guilty. The decision, however, makes us wonder, will this be the end?
On Corruption in Southeast Sulawesi
The trial on the series of cases of alleged corruption in Kolaka Timur, Southeast Sulawesi, finally reached the finish line. This week, the last defendants in the case have been found guilty.