Sugar Group v. Salim Group
PT Mekar Perkasa’s Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) petition against Sugar Group’s PT Sweet Indolampung was declined by the Commercial Court of the Central Jakarta District Court. The Panel of Judges insisted Salim Group’s Mekar Perkasa must be able to prove that Sweet Indolampung actually had matured debts.
E-KTP Graft Case: New Suspect
Last week, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined Muhammad Nazaruddin, graft convict and the former Treasurer of the Democratic Party for three consecutive days. Nazaruddin, who’s also a suspect in a money laundering case, was examined in connection with his involvement in the abuse of the procurement of electronic identity card (e-KTP). Nazaruddin repeated every testimony he’s given before to the investigators for the past two years in hope that the KPK would finally ensnared the responsible parties, including the former Minister of Home Affairs under Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s administration Gamawan Fauzi. But instead of examining the names Nazaruddin mentioned, the KPK named a new suspect in the case.
Maxpower Bribery Case
On September 27, 2016 the Wall Street Journal reported that the United State’s Justice Department was investigating the Standard Chartered PLC over the allegations that PT Maxpower Indonesia, a subsidiary of Standard-Chartered-controlled Maxpower Group Pte Ltd, had bribed Indonesian Government officials. The bribery allegedly took place between 2012 and 2015 in the amount of US$750,000. Investigators had supposedly obtained several pieces of evidence, one of which is a record of a conversation. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reportedly had reportedly received information regarding the investigation and had since conducted its own investigation.
Updates on Irman Gusman’s Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continued to investigate the bribery in the distribution of additional quota of sugar for West Sumatera; the case that brought down the former Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Irman Gusman. On September 29, 2016, the KPK summoned several witnesses for questioning, one of them was the Director of the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) Djarot Kusumayakti. On the same day, Irman through his legal counsel officially filed for pre-trial against the KPK at the South Jakarta District Court.
Time Extension on Bumi Resources’ PKPU
PT Bumi Resources Tbk (BUMI), which is currently in a period of Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU), is still working towards reaching a peace agreement with its creditors. In the hearing held on September 28, 2016, the Panel of Judges of the Commercial Court of the Central Jakarta District Court decided to accept the request for time extension. BUMI now has 31 more days for their PKPU.
The Debate on Inpres No. 8/2016
The biggest worry of today is that State revenues for 2016 will fall far below the target. This worry had forced the Government to take extraordinary measures, one of which is reducing state expenditure. This austerity measures was ratified by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo with the issuance of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 8/2016 aimed at reducing the budget of 83 ministries and state institutions. Some have criticized the austerity policy, but the most interesting criticism is on the choice to issue the instruction with a presidential instruction paper. Critics believe that issuing an inpres to modify the budget, which is affixed by law, is unconstitutional. Is this a correct assessment?
The Latest on Sutan Bhatoegana’s Verdict
Five months have passed since the Supreme Court’s Assembly of Cassation decided to decline Sutan Bhatoegana’s petition for cassation, and to instead accept the cassation filed by the prosecutor of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). With the decision, Sutan’s sentence in the graft case involving the former Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Waryono Karno and the former Chairman of SKK Migas Rudi Rubiandini, was aggravated. On September 15, 2016, the Supreme Court finally published the verdict.
The End for Cipaganti Cooperative Union?
The Cipaganti Karya Guna Persada Cooperative Union (KCKGP), which has twice avoided bankruptcy, finally has to accept its unfortunate fate. On September 28, 2016, the Panel of Judges of the Commercial Court of the Central Jakarta District Court granted the request for the cancellation of the peace agreement filed by two of KCKGP’s creditors.
Progress on the 2015 Forest Fires Prosecution?
In July 2016, the Riau Regional Police (Polda Riau) decided to issue a Warrant for Termination of Investigation (SP3) to the 15 companies with plantation and forestry license that were previously thought to be the perpetrators of the 2015 forest fires. This decision led to the disappointment of various parties as the investigation conducted since last year lead to nowhere. But a refreshing news has come out of Central Kalimantan. Though the investigation and prosecution related to the 2015 forest fires have not been made public, there’s been progress.
The End for Damayanti?
The former member of the House Commission V of the House of Representatives Damayanti Wisnu Putranti of PDI-P, who was caught receiving bribes in the first sting operation (OTT) conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in 2016, was found guilty of all charges by the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court. Damayanti is sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison.