Latest on the Basarnas Scandal

Back in July 2023 the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered a case of alleged corruption which caused an unexpected drama. The operation was conducted related to an alleged corruption in a project belonging to the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), then the KPK officially named five suspects in this case, including the Chief of Basarnas, Air Marshal Henri Alfiandi. The TNI then caused a commotion and protested the KPK’s decision because two suspects were active military officers. After facing backlash from the public, the situation calmed down a bit and the two institutions agreed to work together. Unlike the eventful revelation, trial of the civil suspects started and continues far from media coverage. Last week, the three defendants were found guilty.

Legal Issues on Infrastructure Projects

Last year, the Corruption Court at the Padang District Court in West Sumatera acquitted 13 defendants in a case of alleged corruption related to the land acquisition process for the toll road construction project. This is ironic considering that the province is the province that most opposes the development carried out by President Jokowi. Far from media coverage, several months ago the Supreme Court overturned the decision and convicted some of the defendants. This means, according to the Supreme Court, corruption really has taken place. This week, we learned that all 13 defendants have been found guilty.

On Corruption in Meranti Islands : The End?

Meranti Islands Regent, Muhammad Adil, who has been in the headlines some time ago because of an argument with the Ministry of Finance, has recently been found guilty of corruption. The case is interesting because Adil accused the Ministry of Finance of being filled with demons, however, when the Ministry of Finance is in the spotlight earlier this year, it turns out that Muhammad Adil isn’t exactly a good person either.

KPK Latest Sting Operation : North Maluku and Harita Nickel

Abdul Ghani Kasuba, governor of North Maluku, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), in a series of sting operations carried out in several different locations earlier this week. The KPK succeeded in arresting dozens of people but named six people as suspects in the alleged corruption case. Among the alleged bribers was Stevi Thomas, director of PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (NCKL).

Extension of the Term of Office of the KPK Leaders

In the middle of this year, the Constitutional Court granted the Judicial Review petition filed by Nurul Ghufron, deputy chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), and extended the term of office of the KPK leaders for five years. In the midst of public criticism that this decision is political, our concern is whether the Government will implement this decision retroactively. This week, our questions were answered after the President decided that Nurul Ghufron et al’s term of office would be extended until the end of 2024.

On Firli Bahuri Case

Last month, the Chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Filri Bahuri, was named a suspect in the alleged extortion case committed against Syahrul Yasin Limpo (NasDem). Syahrul, who was the Minister of Agriculture at the time of the incident, is a suspect in a case of alleged corruption being investigated by the KPK, while the alleged extortion that ensnared Firli is being investigated by the Indonesian National Police (POLRI). Firli insisted that he is not guilty, that the case was made up as a revenge from the current Chief of the Jakarta Metropolitan Office, Karyoto. The claim was put forward to the public when Firli decided to file for a pre-trial against the POLRI’s decision. This week, the court declared that the pre-trial petition cannot be accepted.

The East Jakarta Land Mafia Case : The End?

Nearly three years ago we were exposed to the case of alleged corruption related to a land acquisition for the DP 0% housing program, which was the flagship program of then Governor Anies Baswedan. The case was investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and managed to ensnare individual and corporate suspects, including Yoory Corneles Pinontoan, the former president director of the Regional Public Corporation Pembangunan Sarana Jaya (PD Sarana Jaya). The suspects were found guilty in the last week of February 2022 then the POLRI entered the picture. Nearly a year after the verdict was given, earlier this year, the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim POLRI) announced a new and similar case and named Yoory as a suspect. The proceedings continue far from media coverage and recently the prosecutors read their demands.

Humpuss v Parbulk

Over the years, PT Humpuss Intermoda Transportasi Tbk (HITS) (Humpuss), controlled by Tommy Soeharto (son of the late president Soeharto), has never been without problems. Back in August 2023, a new problem for the Company and its subsidiaries came out to the public. At the heart of the problem is the cooperation with a leading shipping company from Norway, Parbulk II AS (Parbulk), which went wrong. Recently, we learned that Humpuss won the case.

Koapgi v Developer

Koperasi Awak Pesawat Garuda Indonesia of the Garuda Indonesia Flight Crew Cooperative Union (Koapgi) was caught in a vortex of residential complex construction fraud several years ago and lost tens of billions of rupiah. In 2021, Koapgi filed a lawsuit against the developer, PT Satiri Jaya Utama, and won. This week, the decision was confirmed by the Supreme Court.

Road to 2024 Election : Protecting Whistleblowers

On Dec. 12, 2023, the General Election Commission (KPU) held the first official debate for the three 2024 presidential candidates. The debate was held with focus on legal issues, including Human Rights (HAM), corruption eradication, and strengthening democracy, basically the main issues in Indonesia. As usual, we see how the candidates convey their promises plus a little sarcasm between each other. The debate is interesting considering that each candidate is supported by political parties that are vulnerable to violations of the law. However, there is one topic in particular that caught our attention, namely Anies Baswedan’s promise to give bigger rewards to whistleblowers. If there is one thing that has almost never been discussed thoroughly, it is the protection for whistleblowers and witnesses of corruption cases. What’s the use of billions of rewards if their safety cannot be guaranteed?

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