Legislative Journal: Permendag No.14/M-DAG/PER/3/2016
The Ministry of Trade has issued the Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) No. 14/M-DAG/PER/3/2016 to amend the provisions of Permendag No. 77/M-DAG/PER/12/2013 concerning the Simultaneous Issuance of Trade License and Company Registration for Trading Company.
Preventing Tax Evasion and Money Laundering
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is seeking ways to strengthen the prevention and control of tax evasion and money laundering. On March 21, 2016 the President held a closed-door meeting with a number of related state institutions to discuss this issue. The meeting produced a three-step action to be prepared immediately, namely:
Updates on the PKPU for Meranti Maritime
PT Meranti Maritime, which is currently in the period of Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU), has once again requested for a 60-day extension to its creditors. The request was conveyed in a move to find time to resolve the status of one creditor that is still debated by the Supervisory Judge. The other creditors reportedly agreed to this request.
Hambalang
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo together with the Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi, and the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono visited the site of the ill-fated Hambalang Sports Complex project on March 19, 2016. The President told the press after seeing the site that he would have a discussion with the ministers concerned to talk about continuing now-abandoned project. The question now is whether reviving the construction of the Hambalang Sports Complex is a good idea.
The KM Kway Fey Case
News came from the Ministry of Marine and Fisheries on March 20, 2016. The ministry’s supervisory ship KP Hiu 11 was reportedly involved in a collision while trying to catch the Chinese fishing vessel KM Kway Fey 10078 in the border area connecting to the South China Sea. The Chinese coast guard reportedly helped KM Kway Fey to escape from the KP Hiu 11.
Hary Tanoe & Mobile-8 Case
Media mogul and politician Hary Tanoesoedibjo finally answered the summon of the Attorney General Office (AGO) on Thursday (March 17). Hary was questioned in connection with the investigation into the fraudulent tax restitution of PT Mobile-8 Telecom Tbk (Mobile-8), which was a subsidiary of MNC Group. Hary Tanoe was questioned for five hours, but the CEO of MNC Group and Chairman of Perindo Party confidently told the press after the questioning that he would not end up as a suspect in the case.
Updates on Damayanti’s Case
The examination of the case of alleged bribery related to the Trans-Seram road project in the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (Kemen-PUPR), involving the member of the House Commission V of the House of Representatives Damayanti Wisnu Putranti of PDI-P, is far from over. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to investigate several other members of the House Commission V allegedly involved in bribes.
Updates on Forest Fire Investigations
On March 16, 2016 the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS) announced the summary of information they received regarding the investigation and prosecution of those connected to the 2015 forest fires. With regards to administrative sanctions, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has given sanctions to 23 companies. Separately, the people of Central Kalimantan subpoenaed the President and several state institutions to demand accountability for the forest fires they endured.
Hutama Karya to Operate JORR-S Toll Road
The 15-year-old dispute on the management of the Outer Ring Road South Section (Pondok Pinang-Jagorawi) (JORR-S Toll Road) finally reached closure. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has reportedly executed the Supreme Court ruling that has been legally binding since 2001. As of March 16, 2016,PT Hutama Karya (Persero) is in charge of the management of JORR-S.
Legislative Journal: Government Regulation No. 2/2016
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has signed into force Government Regulation (PP) No. 2/2016 on the Procedures for the Delivery of Data and Information by Government Institutions and/or Private Institutions in the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering (TPPU). The PP is meant to reinforce the authority of the Center for Financial Transaction Reporting and Analysis (PPATK). It too supplements the provisions of PP No. 43/2015.