Corruption investigation in PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk began five years ago. The process was so slow that it raised question marks over the performance of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The trial of the suspects, including Garuda Indonesia’s former President Director, Emirsyah Satar, produced a very disappointing verdict. Later, the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), Erick Thohir, approached the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) with a corruption report. This is confusing because the allegations reported are already in the KPK’s indictment tried by the corruption court. We wonder if there is any other evidence that the KPK could not find before, that this case must be re-examined by the AGO. Recently, Emir finally stands trial as graft suspect for the second time.

Several months ago, the investigation into allegations of corruption at the root of the problem which caused the cooking oil shortage and price surcharge developed after the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced that it had named three groups of companies as suspects. However, until now there are still many questions remaining, especially regarding the Government’s responsibility. A month later, the companies filed a State Administrative lawsuit against the Minister of Trade only to withdraw it just a week later. Towards the end of last week, the companies filed new lawsuits.

Businessman Surya Darmadi, owner of Duta Palma Group, returned to Indonesia and turned himself in to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) mid last year. The AGO alleged Surya of committing corruption which caused State losses amounted to over Rp70 trillion and moved very quickly to complete the docket. Near the end of the inquisition stage, the AGO announced that the estimated State losses have reached over Rp100 trillion. That is unbelievable. Surya finally stands trial as a defendant in September 2022. Towards the end of February 2023, Surya was found guilty and sentenced to a historic punishment. The High Court upheld the decision on stage of appeal, however, a different approach was taken by the Supreme Court. On the stage of cassation, the Assembly decided to add Surya’s prison term but diminished his obligation to repay for the loss to the State’s economy. A disappointing decision.

PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) is still on the roll, in a bad way. We know the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) are still carrying out investigations and inquisitions into alleged corruption cases involving the company and its officials, the cases supposedly happen in several different regions and received resistance from several parties. Recently, the company also lost their legal battle against a businessman. How perfect. Meanwhile, in an ongoing court examination, the KPK prosecutors just read their demands for defendant Dody Martimbang, former official of ANTM.

Shares of Bukaka Teknik Utama (BUKK), a company controlled by the family of Jusuf Kalla (former vice president, main supporter of Anies Baswedan—president candidate from Nasdem, PKS, and PKB), ended slightly lower by 0.8% to Rp1,275 on Tuesday (Sep 20). Hours after market closing, BUKK director Sofiah Balfas, was named suspect in a corruption case.

Karen Agustiawan was once again named suspect in a case of alleged corruption related to decisions she made while serving as president director of PT Pertamina (Persero). The case supposedly caused State losses amounted to over Rp2 trillion. This is the second time that Karen had to face the law. Previously she was convicted in a similar case of alleged corruption only to be released by the Supreme Court, after serving one year and six months in prison, in a decision that sparked debate regarding the definition of corruption.

Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia (Satgas BLBI), a task force under Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s supervision to recover funds from some businessmen related to 1997-1998 financial crisis, faces a new obstacle. Towards the end of last week, a lawsuit was registered to the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN Jakarta) by PT Cowell Development Tbk (COWL). There is no information published by the court but there is a strong suspicion that this lawsuit is related to two other lawsuits previously filed by two different companies.

The prolonged process of demanding accountability for the use of Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI) funds is one of the factors that complicates the Government’s efforts to force obligors/debtors to repay their obligations. Among the many difficulties, the most obvious is the change in ownership of assets purchased or built with BLBI funds. Along with these changes, there are also assets that have changed in function, one of which is now known as the Billy & Moon housing complex located in East Jakarta. Not long ago, the developer who manages the housing complex filed a lawsuit against the Satgas BLBI. However, within the company itself there is a long-standing dispute.