With the aim of being an alternative internet service provider in Indonesia, Starlink’s presence has received various responses in the public. Many support it, but there are also concerns that Starlink’s entry into the retail internet services market will have an impact on unhealthy business competition. Responding to this, recently the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) held a focus group discussion to address this situation.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Social Affairs, which is supposed to guarantee the welfare of the people, was instead involved in a whirlpool of corruption. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) succeeded in uncovering corruption schemes in the Ministry, not once but twice. After ensnaring the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari Batubara (PDIP) for actively involved in the first crime, the KPK uncovered another similar corruption scheme. Trial of the defendants continues far from media coverage. This week, the defendants have been found guilty.

Back in 2022, an interesting lawsuit was filed by PT Bank Mayapada Internasional Tbk against several companies as well as one Suganda Setiadikurnia (or Setiadi Kurnia). This case relates to collateral disputes, a common occurrence in business. What is unusual is the fact that since the beginning of the year Suganda is wanted by the police. Since then, several other lawsuits were filed against Suganda while he’s still on the run including a PKPU lawsuit. However, recently, we learned that Suganda had filed a different lawsuits against Bank Artha Graha et al. How interesting.

The problematic PT Asuransi Jiwa Kresna (known as Kresna Life linked to PT Kresna Graha Investama Tbk – KREN) managed to avoid bankruptcy in February 2021 only to have the decision annulled by the Supreme Court. The firm is declared bankrupt. Two years after the chaotic dispute was made known to the public, the police announced that they had named the President Director of Kresna Life as suspect in an ongoing investigation into a criminal case. Months later, the investigation developed into another case of alleged money laundering involving affiliated companies. All this happened while the firm’s license had been revoked by the Financial Service Authority (OJK). Earlier this year, however, the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN Jakarta) decided to annul OJK’s decision. But the OJK decided to appeal, leaving the policyholders in despair.

Back in 2018, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation in North Sumatera and arrested the then Regent of Labuhanbatu, Pangonal Harahap (PDIP). Just like a lot of other graft cases, Pangonal received bribes from local contractors namely Effendy Sahputra (nicknamed Asiong Cobra). The trial ended in 2019. Effendy tried his luck the next year and filed for a Reconsideration (PK) but the attempt failed. Towards the end of January 2024, however, the KPK conducted another sting operation in the same regency and once again arrested the regent, Erik Adtrada Ritonga (NasDem). What caught our attention is the fact that the KPK also arrested Effendy and named him suspect as one of the bribers, just four years after he was sentenced. The inquisition and prosecution stage continued far from media coverage, this week the prosecutors had read their demands for the Effendy, again.

Back in 2021, we’re exposed to the scandalous case involving tax officials. As a result of the investigation commenced by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), four tax consultants and officials of the Directorate General have been found guilty. Among the officials is one Angin Prayitno Aji, who allegedly masterminds the scheme for years, he was later convicted for committing money laundering. This week, the remaining officials have finally been found guilty and the decision perhaps will put an end to the entire process. However, questions remain.

The corruption scheme carried out by the then Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (NasDem), was quite shocking to the public. However, it turns out that Syahrul’s efforts to deceive all parties did not stop there. In the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigation process, Syahrul used the legal services of former KPK spokesperson, Febri Diansyah, and another former KPK employee, Rasamala Aritonang. Both of them are suspected of providing legal opinions using documents that should be confidential. This week, Febri appeared at the trial and is known to have received an honorarium worth more than Rp3 billion.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo finally signed Government Regulation (PP) no. 25/2024 which amends PP No. 96/2021 concerning Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities. The amendments contain several new clauses, including that special mining business license areas or WIUPK can be offered on a priority basis to business entities owned by religious community organizations. The amendment plan was previously said to have caused a debate between the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Pandjaitan, and the Minister of Investment, Bahlil Lahadalia. Nevertheless, after the changes were finally promulgated, the provisions caused stir in the public.

Back in 2022, along with two other cases of alleged corruption in Papua, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigated the similar allegation which occurred in Mimika Regency. The case was related to the construction project of Kingmi Mile 32 Church. Far from media coverage, the investigation and inquisition into the case continues with a bit of a bump. This week, the remaining defendants have been found guilty.

Towards the end of last week, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that they had named several suspects, all of whom were former officials of PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk (ANTM), in a case of alleged corruption. The public was shocked, especially because national media outlets reported that this case allegedly resulted in the circulation of fake gold. Of course this is wrong, but what caught our attention was not the misleading news, but the names of the suspects. Among the suspects are two familiar names who have already been imprisoned in two different cases, cases which we have been reporting on for several years. The current investigation, apparently, also has been reported since 2022.