Updates on Kaligis’s Bribery Case
Despite his best of efforts, senior advocate Otto Cornelis (OC) Kaligis has not been able to escape his predicament as the suspect in the case of bribery in the Administrative Court of Medan (PTUN Medan). If anything, OC Kaligis’ standing as a defendant is getting worse by the day. Last week, the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court rejected Kaligis’ note of objections (exception). On top of that, Evy Susanti, the spouse of the disgraced North Sumatera Governor Gatot Pujo Nugroho, both of whom are suspected of graft, testified against Kaligis.
Udar’s Verdict
On September 23, 2015 the Corruption Court read their verdict on the case of alleged corruption and money laundering involving Udar Pristono, the former head of the Jakarta Province Government’s Department of Transportation. But the verdict is disappointing because it is much lighter than the initial demands of the prosecutor.
Updates on the Forest Fire Investigation
Indonesian authorities continue to investigate instances of forest fires in the island of Sumatera and Kalimantan. The police have named ten corporate suspects and hundreds of individual suspects. Out of the ten corporate suspects, one is currently being prosecuted. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (LHK) suspended the operating licenses of three companies and revoked the licenses of one company found guilty of clearing forest area with fire.
Jero Wacik’s First Hearing
On September 22, 2015 the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court held the first hearing for Jero Wacik’s graft case. The hearing was held with the agenda of reading the indictment for Jero Wacik’s involvement in cases of alleged misappropriation of funds for ministerial operation (DOM).
Indonesia v. Churchill Mining
The dispute between the Government of Indonesia (GOI) and Churchill Mining Plc (and the latter’s subsidiary Planet Mining Ptu Ltd.) has entered a new phase. We are now anticipating an agreement between the former and the latter to resolve disputes over land concession rights in one of the largest coal reserves in the world, East Kalimantan.
The Suspended Plantation Concessions: Who’s Who
Ministry of forestry and environmental affairs has finally suspended operations of three palm oil plantation companies in Sumatra Island. The ministry also revoked license to use timber from natural forest (IUPHHK-HA) of one company. They are accused of causing forest fires in the area. Who are they?
Fishing Companies Accused of Operating Illegally Decide to Fight Back
Indonesia’s attempt to eliminate illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing has been met with resistance. The owner of MV Hai Fa, the ship previously seized by Indonesian authorities for supposedly operating without the proper licenses, filed a civil suit against the Government at the Central Jakarta District Court. Separately, the owner MV Silver Sea 2 applied for a pretrial at the Sabang District Court.
Salt Policy: Domestic Farmers & Consumers
National police has last week arrested Tjindra Johan, owner of PT Garindo Sejahtera Abadi (GSA), reportedly the largest importer of salt. Johan is accused of bribing then director general of international trade at ministry of trade Mr Partogi Pangaribuan to maintain volume of quota for import.
The End for Hotasi Nababan?
The former President Director of PT Merpati Nusantara Airlines (Merpati) Hotasi Nababan, who was accused of graft in handling the airline’s aircraft lease contract, must now accept the four-year imprisonment and the Rp200-million fine sentence he received, after the Supreme Court (MA) rejected his request for reconsideration (PK).
BestBuy v. MNC
The dispute between PT Best Buy Home Shopping Indonesia (BestBuy) and PT Media Nusantara Citra Tbk (MNC) ended with the Central Jakarta Commercial Court rejecting MNC’s request for the Suspension of Debts Payment (PKPU).