On the Revocation of Political Rights
On February 20, 2017, the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court complied with the demand of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)’s Public Prosecutor for the revocation of the political rights (the right to run for public office) of the former Chairman of DPD Irman Gusman. This decision will help the KPK’s push for making the revocation of political rights a standard penalty for graft crime.
Update on PT Pertamina Trans Kontinental’s Graft Case
On February 20, 2017, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) examined Ahmad Bambang, the former Vice President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), as a witness in the investigation into the allegations of graft involving PT Pertamina Trans Kontinental, the subsidiaries of Pertamina. The AGO have so far examined several important individuals and documents related to the case from the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW).
The End for Irman Gusman?
The Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court read their verdict on the trial of the former Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Irman Gusman on February 20, 2017. The Panel of Judges found Irman guilty of receiving bribes in connection to the distribution of additional quota of sugar for West Sumatera. The Panel of Judges also granted the public prosecutors’ request to have Irman’s political rights revoked.
The Insolvency of PT Megalestari Unggul
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to investigate the allegations of graft in the procurement of electronic identity card (E-KTP), which was held over the period of 2011-2012. The process, however, is getting more complicated. In early October 2016, PT Biomorf, a company based in the United States, who’s the sub-contractor of the winning consortium, claimed that the Government of Indonesia owed them US$90 million. In the same month, another company in the consortium, i.e., PT Sandipala Arthaputra filed for a pre-trial on a separate investigation, one conducted by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police’s Headquarter (Bareskrim Mabes Polri). And now, one of the sub-contractors of the project, PT Megalestari Unggul, is bankrupt after failing to convince its creditors to peacefully resolve their debt dispute in a Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) process.
Freeport & New Realities
Endless disputes between the government and Freeport Indonesia are, among others, rooted in difficulties of Freeport to deal with new realities. Key executives of the US-based mining giant are still living in the Cold War era. New generation of leaders in Indonesia, on the other hand, have explored and tried to benefit from new realities.
Update on Emirsyah Satar’s Bribery Case
The investigation into the bribery involving the former CEO of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Emirsyah Satar continues. After naming Emirsyah a suspect nearly a month ago, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) finally examined the MatahariMall.com Chairman as a suspect on February 17, 2017. The KPK had previously examined the alleged bribe giver Soetikno Soedarjo, who is the founder of PT Mugi Rekso Abadi. To this day, however, Emirsyah, through his legal counsel Luhut Pangaribuan, maintains his innocence.
A New Trial for Ratu Atut
It has been a while since we last heard of Ratu Atut Chosiyah’s graft woes. Now, three years after the former Governor of Banten was caught for bribing the Constitutional Court Akil Mochtar, the docket for her graft crime in a medical equipment procurement project is ready to be transferred to the prosecutorial stage. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is expecting a new trial for Ratu Atut in two weeks.
More on LuLu Group’s Tax Case
Three days ago the trial of Rajesh Rajmohanan Nair, the Managing Director PT EK Prima Ekspor (EKP), which is a subsidiary of Lulu Group International began. We reported on the content of the indictment read on February 13, 2017 in the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court. But we didn’t elaborate on the role of a suspected intermediary and the Director General of Taxation. News later emerged that the intermediary in question was President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s brother in-law.
PKPU for Humpuss Pengolahan Minyak
PT Humpuss Pengolahan Minyak (HPM), a subsidiary of PT Humpuss belonging to Hutomo Mandala Putra was sued by one of its creditor PT Niman Internusa for Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) over debts dispute amounting to US$2.5 million. In the first hearing held on February 16, 2017, HPM was prepared to answer the lawsuit, and the Company was also prepared with a draft of their peace proposal.
Development on Patrialis Akbar’s Case
The investigation into the alleged bribery involving the former Justice of Constitutional Court Patrialis Akbar continues. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) decided to extend the suspects’ detention time and has so far examined several witnesses including Constitutional Justices. In addition to that, two suspects decided to apply for the status of Justice Collaborator. This has triggered suspicion that the case may actually involve something bigger.