Back in July 2023 the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a case of alleged corruption which caused an unexpected drama. The operation was conducted related to an alleged corruption in a project belonging to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), then the KPK officially named five suspects in this case, including the Chief of Basarnas, Air Marshal Henri Alfiandi. The TNI then caused a commotion and protested the KPK’s decision because two suspects were active military officers. After facing backlash from the public, the situation calmed down a bit and the two institutions agreed to work together. Unlike the eventful revelation, trial of the civil suspects started and continues far from media coverage. The three defendants were found guilty in December 2023. This week, Henri’s trial started.

Earlier last year, the bilateral treaty that Indonesia and Singapore agreed on during the Leaders’ Retreat was spotlighted. One of the agreements between the two parties is regarding the extradition of criminals, which is said to provide a deterrent effect for perpetrators of crimes, especially in corruption cases. This agreement deserves appreciation, but we also know this is not the first time for such a treaty. The two countries had agreed on an extradition treaty in 2007, but the agreement could not take effect because a prolonged ratification process involving the House of Representatives hindered it. Luckily, this time the parties are serious about the implementation and finally, the long-awaited agreement came into effect last week.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) began an investigation into alleged manipulation of sugar imports some time ago. This process is interesting because initially the investigation was said to be related to the provision of sugar import permits by the Ministry of Trade during the period 2015 to 2023. Several other parties were also investigated, including from the Ministry of Industry to related regional departments. Later, the investigation into the case turned into an inquisition of just one party. Last week, the AGO announced that it had named one suspect.

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) continues. The process initially started as an ordinary routine and we all know that the mining sector is prone to corruption. But, as the investigation went on and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) finally found sufficient evidence, we learned that the scheme was supposedly created by the former President Director of PT Timah, Mochtar Riza Pahlevi Tabrani, his directors, and several other parties. That said, this is not an ordinary case. The case finally received attention after the AGO reportedly searched the residence of the controversial Helena Lim. This week, the AGO named the latest suspect, Harvey Moeis. Harvey is the missing link in the case and for some, this is a long-overdue announcement.

Meranti Islands Regent, Muhammad Adil, made headlines some time ago because of an argument with the Ministry of Finance. The case is interesting because Adil accused the Ministry of Finance of being filled with demons. However, when the Ministry of Finance is in the spotlight earlier in 2023, it turns out that Muhammad Adil isn’t exactly a good person either. Adil was found guilty of corruption by the end of 2023. We thought that the process would end with the decision, but apparently the KPK did not stop investigating. This week, the KPK named Adil as a suspect for allegedly receiving grafts and committed money laundering.

In mid 2023, the investigation into allegations of corruption at the root of the problem which caused the cooking oil shortage and price surcharge developed after the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that it had named three groups of companies as suspects. However, until now there are still many questions remaining, especially regarding the Government’s responsibility. The companies tried to file a State Administrative lawsuit against the Minister of Trade soon after and received interesting decisions, but despite the decision, today, trial on the case of alleged corruption will commence.

The Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (Satgas BLBI) continues to work in summoning obligors who can be traced. In the last few announcements we know that the parties summoned are small debtors, those who were able to ignore their obligations after various creditors (who were BLBI obligors) experienced problems. As the financial institutions that gave them loans collapsed, there was no one left to supervise the settlement of these debtors’ obligations, therefore after two years of work and focusing on big BLBI obligors, now the Satgas has started summoning these small debtors, although some of them still have large amounts of obligations.

Windi Purnama, one of the many suspects in the BAKTI case, the case of alleged corruption related to a project at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, has been found guilty. Although a lot of interesting things emerged in the investigation process, we know that in the case all eyes were on former Minister Johnny Plate (NasDem). The public does not discuss Windi’s role much. This is unfortunate, especially because Windi was named suspect on allegations of money laundering and the case caused over Rp8 trillion of State losses. In the last hearing, Windi was sentenced to a fairly light punishment.

It has been nearly fifteen years since the Montara H1-ST1 wellhead caught fire in 2009. The incident caused environmental damages to Indonesia’s coast. The companies involved initially insisted on their innocence then representatives of the affected people and farmers filed a class-action lawsuit in the Australian Federal Court. In Indonesia, the Government also tried several means to demand the parties be held accountable. The last time we reported on the proceedings was in 2021, when the Court gave a very satisfying result. However, the Court’s judgment is meaningless if the companies involved deny responsibility. Fortunately, the Australian Federal Court eventually decided in favor of the plaintiffs in 2022. However, even after all that, so far, the farmers reportedly have not received the compensation they should have received, no thanks to the complicated issue with their own legal representatives and funders.

The investigation into the case of corruption in Papua finally ended as the latest defendant in the case recently found guilty. But this is not the end for the entire investigation.