In 2023 we learned that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had been investigating allegations of corruption and misappropriation of authority committed by civil servants. Along with the revelation, the KPK apparently had named 10 suspects in a case of alleged corruption relating to the provision of remuneration (performance allowance, tunjangan kinerja – tukin) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (Kementerian ESDM). The case is important, at least for us, because it’s not unusual. Similar stories have often been heard in various ministries and State institutions, knowing that the employee budget is one of the largest State expenditures. But even so, this is the first time the KPK has actually intervened. Unfortunately, the trial process took place far from media coverage. Last week, the defendants were found guilty.

The President Director of PT TASPEN (Persero), Antonius Nicholas Stephanus Kosasih, has become the talk of the town in recent years, especially since allegations of various corruption he committed as well as allegations of domestic violence emerged, all of which were published by his ex-wife’s legal counsel. In the midst of these allegations, we know that the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) is investigating an alleged corruption case at the insurance firm, Taspen Life, a subsidiary of PT Taspen. Apart from that, not much happened, except that the said legal counsel has been named suspect on allegation of defamation. What was surprising, suddenly the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) entered the picture. Apparently, the ex-wife had submitted a report against her former husband. What’s going on?

The investigation into the case of alleged corruption related to the tin trading system carried out in the Mining Business License (IUP) area owned by PT Timah Tbk (TINS) initially started as an ordinary routine. We all know that the mining sector is prone to corruption. But as the investigation went on and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) finally found sufficient evidence, we learned that the scheme was supposedly created by the former President Director of PT Timah, Mochtar Riza Pahlevi Tabrani, his directors, and several other parties. That said, this is not an ordinary case. With Riza’s help, dozens of puppet companies were allowed to operate on PT Timah operational area including other areas with no permit or license. By this week the AGO had named 14 suspects in two different cases. The case finally received attention after the AGO reportedly searched the residence of the controversial Helena Lim.

Several days ago, Michael Buehler, a reader or senior lecturer in Comparative Politics at SOAS University of London, published an interesting piece from LinkedIn Pulse. The article summarizes the tax debts reportedly owed by Hashim Djojohadikusumo, brother to Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto, to Swiss tax authorities. Because of these debts, Swiss authorities have initiated foreclosure actions on two villas belonging to the family.

The Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (Satgas BLBI) continue working. The Satgas has published seven new summons aimed at the existing obligors since last week and the meetings was conducted this week.

The trial of Andhi Pramono, the former Head of Directorate General of Custom and Excise (DJBC) office in Makassar, South Sulawesi will end soon. Andhi was made suspect in the case of alleged corruption and supposedly has been a broker for business actors for over a decade. After over three months of court proceedings, during the hearing held last week, the prosecutors demanded Andhi to be punished to 10 years in prison.

Trial on the allegation of case brokers that rocked the Supreme Court slowly comes to the finish line, After several months of trial, the Panel of Judges finally read their decision for the latest defendant who is also a former commissioner of Wika Beton, Dadan Tri Yudianto. Dadan acted as an intermediary between the parties in the predicate crime.

Towards the end of 2023 the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced two new suspects in the case of alleged corruption related to a project at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics. One of whom is Achsanul Qosasi, member of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) (former lawmaker from Demokrat Party). For some, this is a long overdue announcement. This week, Achsanul finally stood trial.

Indonesia Police Watch (IPW) recently officially made a report to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the alleged graft involving the President Director of PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Tengah (Bank Jateng) for the 2014-2023 period, Supriyatno, and the Governor of Central Java for the 2013-2023 period, Ganjar Pranowo (PDIP).

Several years have passed since the Government began to express plans to impose excise on Packaged Sweetened Drinks (Minuman Berpemanis Dalam Kemasan – MBDK). Consumption of sweetened drinks needs to be controlled primarily for health reasons, namely preventing various risks of non-communicable diseases caused by excessive sugar consumption. This effort has certainly met with resistance from industry, but recently the Ministry of Health has expressed its support and as such the Ministry of Finance is optimistic that it will be able to start implementing this regulation this year.