On June 28, 2016, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted Sting Operation (OTT) and caught 6 people including a member of the Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) I Putu Sudiartana. A day later, the Democratic Party lawmaker and the 5 other individuals detained were named as suspects in a graft case. Let’s talk about the case.

In a move to limit the usage of plastic bags, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has been testing a policy on paid plastic bags for retails business since February 2016. The first phase of the trial was over on May 31, 2016. The Ministry subsequently issued a new circular on the implementation of the second phase of the trial to be applied nationally. Where is this trial today, and what’s the future planned by the Government?

PT Bumi Resources Tbk (BUMI) once again had to postpone the vote on the peace proposal prepared for their Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU) process. Several major creditors claimed that they were still studying the proposal, hence the delay. Said major creditors have requested for an extension of debt restructuring period for up to 3 months.

The process of Suspension of Debt Payments (PKPU) against PT Super Eximsari Ltd and its sister company PT Super Makmur continues. The two companies said that they would look for investors to help in injecting capital. But lately, Super Eximsari said that it would instead optimize its production line instead of trying to bring in new investors.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has issued the Presidential Instruction No. 4/2016, which contains provisions regarding austerity measures and spending cuts in ministries and state institutions in the new and revised 2016 state budget. All ministries mentioned in the instruction have since begun to intensify their discussion with the House of Representatives to go over the budget cuts.

The Minister of Finance Bambang Brodjonegoro has signed the regulation (PMK) on the new non-taxable income (PTKP) for 2016. The PTKP has been adjusted with the expectation that the people would have a stronger purchasing power, which in turn would help with household consumption and stimulate economic growth.

On June 23, 2016, the Corruption Court of Central Jakarta District Court held the inaugural hearing on the case of corruption implicating the President Director of PT Agung Podomoro Land Tbk (APLN) Ariesman Widjaja and his aide Trinanda Prihantoro. Both men were charged with bribing the member of the Jakarta Regional Representatives Council (DPRD Jakarta) Mohamad Sanusi. Neither Arisman nor his aide raised any objection in the hearing.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is intensively pursuing additional criminal charges for graft suspects, particularly in a move to revoke their political rights. But what is the legal basis in providing this additional penalty? What’s the track record in the courts when faced with the request to revoke a defendant’s political rights?

On June 22, 2016, the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court held their first hearing on the trial of attempted bribery conducted by two officials of PT Brantas Abipraya (Persero). In the indictment, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) mentioned the parties who were supposed to receive the bribes. The question is, will the designated recipient be named as suspects?

The bankruptcy dispute between PT Asuransi Jiwa Bumi Asih Jaya (BAJ) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK) is not yet over. After the Supreme Court (MA) granted the OJK’s cassation for the execution of liquidation of BAJ’s assets last year, the insurance company’s legal counsel decided to file for a Reconsideration (PK) on June 21, 2016.