On the MBZ Toll Project Scandal : Questions
The court proceeding on the case of alleged corruption related to the construction of the Jakarta-Cikampek II Elevated Toll Road, better known as the MBZ toll road, had ended. Despite the important case profile, the court proceedings continued far from media coverage and within only four months the defendants had been found guilty.
Anies-Ahok & The Hope in the Constitutional Court
The efforts of all parties to be able to lead Jakarta so far have been very entertaining. Parties that previously even fought openly are now starting to open up the possibility of making up. It is Anies Baswedan who is rumored to be paired with Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, BTP, or more familiarly known as Ahok. Of course, many parties hope that this possibility will come true, unfortunately, the law prohibits it.
The Cunning Boyamin and His Children
2023 is a tumultuous year for Indonesia. Ahead of the most heated presidential and vice presidential elections, the Constitutional Court granted a judicial review petition filed by a student, Almas Tsaqibbirru, who asked the Court to re-interpret the age and experience requirements for the candidates, supposedly paving the way for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to run as vice president. At the same time, we reported a similar petition filed by a student named Arkaan Wahyu.
Latest on Sugar Import Corruption
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, however, the investigation into the case turned into an inquisition of yet another official of the Directorate General of Custom and Excise (DJBC). Two months after the latest announcement, the AGO mentioned that the docket of one suspect had been expedited to the stage of prosecution and the trial will be examined by the Corruption Court at the Pekanbaru District Court.
Alwin Albar Corruption Scandals
This week we were confused by the news that Alwin Albar, one of the suspects in the PT Timah corruption scandal, had gone on trial. Alwin was only made a suspect in March 2024 so for the dockets of the case to be expedited within only three months is impossible. Later, we learned that Alwin faced the current trial as a defendant in another case of alleged corruption, while he served as director at PT Timah. This can only mean that at the same time during his tenure Alwin is suspected of being connected to two cases of corruption. How diligent.
KPPU Latest Investigation : Chiyoda’s Alleged Conspiracy
The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) has begun holding an Assembly Session in the Preliminary Investigation stage regarding the rarely heard allegation of conspiracy to obtain company secrets. This allegation implicates PT Chiyoda Kogyo Indonesia (PT CKI), subsidiary of Chiyoda Kogyo Co Ltd, manufacturer of tube deforming processing machinery, BECS Master. What really happened?
KPK Leadership Selection : The Game of Thrones
Mid 2023, the Constitutional Court granted the Judicial Review petition filed by Nurul Ghufron, deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and extended the term of office of the KPK leaders for five years. In the midst of public criticism that this decision is political, towards the end of the same year, the President decided that Ghufron et al’s term of office would be extended until the end of 2024. Now, the selection process for the new set of leaders is underway and interestingly, even though in the past Ghufron’s decisions were criticized, now there are parties who are following in his footsteps and asking the Constitutional Court to redefine the provision of the law. They are none other than the former employees of the commission.
On the Dago Elos Land Dispute : When the Tables are Turned
The dispute over ownership of land covering an area of more than six hectares in Dago Elos, Bandung, West Java, became public on Aug. 14, 2023, after a chaotic event resulted from clashes between residents and the police became viral on social media. After more than six years of dispute in court, in 2022 the Supreme Court declared that the land in question was legally owned by the heirs of the Muller family. However, the residents who occupied the land did not accept the decision and on the day before the riot, representatives of the residents accompanied by the Bandung Legal Aid Institute (LBH) tried to submit a police report regarding alleged fraud against members of the Muller family, unfortunately the plan did not go as expected.
On the Gold Import Scandal : New Suspects
Over a month ago the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that they had named several suspects in a case of alleged corruption involving former officials of PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk (ANTM). The case apparently was the development of the gold import scandal which was reported back in 2021. Towards the end of last week, the AGO announced that they had named new suspects and by now the case had ensnared 13 suspects.
KPPU Decision on Hardaya Inti Plantations
After several months of hearing, the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) finally declared PT Hardaya Inti Plantation (HIP) is guilty in the the alleged violation related to the Implementation of the Partnership between PT HIP and the Amanah Plasma Farming Cooperative Union (Koptan Amanah).