Rizal vs Sudirman on Freeport Contract
Coordinating minister for maritime and resources affairs Rizal Ramli openly criticised an announcement from minister of energy & mineral resources Sudirman Said about the future of PT Freeport Indonesia’s operations in Grasberg, the world’s largest gold and copper mine in Papua. Rizal indirectly accused Sudirman of being ‘spokesperson’ of Freeport in the renegotiation of the mining contract, which expires in 2021.
Hutama Karya and Corruption in the Ministry of Transportation
On October 9, 2015, the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court held the hearing of the indictment against the former General Manager (GM) of PT Hutama Karya Budi Rachmat Kurniawan. Budi allegedly masterminded the abuse of the construction of the Ministry of Transportation’s Education and Training Center for Marine Studies (BP21P) in 2011. During the hearing, KPK prosecutors revealed the involvement of the Ministry’s high official and dozens of other companies in the case.
Forest Fire Investigation in Jambi
Following the footsteps of several other regions affected by forest fires, the Jambi Police are now intensifying their investigation. The entire police force are involved in order to find the cause of the fire and the culprits—be they individuals or corporations.
Sinarmas, Jokowi & Forest Fire
Coordinating minister for politics, security, law & human rights affairs Luhut Pandjaitan openly blamed PT Bumi Andalas Permai, unit of Sinarmas Forestry, behind the fire in its timber concession area in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, South Sumatra. He demanded the Company to fix its operations, including procuring water bombing aircraft in the future. That’s it?
Suryadharma Ali Won’t Give Up
The trial on the case of alleged corruption involving the former Minister of Religious Affairs Suryadharma Ali However is almost over. But despite the various statements of witnesses affirming the accusation that Suryadharma had conducted fraudulent acts, the former Minister remains faithful to his claim of “not guilty”. On October 7, 2015, Suryadharma submitted a plan to the court to present two witnesses who he believes would set him free of the charges he’s facing.
The Bill to Revise the Law on Attorney
The authority to waive or halt a case in the name of public interest or for the sake of the greater good (otherwise known as deponering, an Indonesian legal term derived from the Dutch language) lies in the hands of the Attorney General. The Law that regulates this arrangement is the Law on the Attorney of the Republic of Indonesia. The House of Representatives (DPR) has sought to revise the Law on Attorney of the Republic of Indonesia since 2013.
Deponering for Bambang Widjojanto?
The Attorney General HM Prasetyo finally responded to the call to waive the case of alleged false testimony that had ensnared the former Deputy Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Bambang Widjojanto. The request for the waiver (otherwise known as deponering, a legal term derived from the Dutch language) was delivered by a group of academics to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, so the President told the press while visiting Sukoharjo, Central Java, on October 3, 2015. The President said he welcome the idea and that he’d take it into consideration.
Garudafood v. Yildiz Holding
The trademark dispute between PT Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya with the Turkey-based food manufacturer Yildiz Holding A.S. continues. The proceedings have been carried out by the Commercial Court of the Central Jakarta District Court. The disputing parties are reportedly negotiating a peace deal.
Minimizing Red Tapes in Agrarian Affairs
The Indonesian Government’s Third Economic Policy Package addresses licensing process in the agrarian sector. Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning (Men-ATR) Ferry Mursidan Baldan told the press that the Government wanted to minimize red tapes to save time. The new licensing arrangement will be institutionalized by way of a ministerial regulation to revise the Regulation of Men-ATR No. 2/2015 on Service Standards and Regulation of Agrarian, Spatial Planning and Land for Investment Activity (hereinafter referred to as the previous regulation). Fundamental changes will be made to the application process, requirements needed, and the license renewal process. Changes in the license application process include:
Indigenous People of Silat Hulu v. Sinar Mas
The long struggle of the Dayak community in the village of Silat Hulu, Ketapang, West Kalimantan against palm plantations on their ancestral lands paid off. The Supreme Court (MA) granted the request of Reconsideration (PK) filed by the two members of the indigenious group Japin and Vitalis Andi. With the reconsideration decision, the Justices overturned the verdict on the stage of appeal and cassation and rehabilitate the Japin’s and Andi’s name from previous convictions, and restored their rights.