We welcome 2023 with news from the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) that they have commenced investigation into the case of alleged corruption related to PT Graha TelkomSigma (PT GTS – TelkomSigma, subsidiary of PT Sigma Cipta Caraka – Sigma). Eight individuals have been named suspects since then and the case allegedly caused State losses amounted to over Rp200 billion. Several months later, we learned that the AGO developed their investigation and managed to find an entry to a new case, which allegedly caused over Rp300 billion in State losses. The new case allegedly involving Sigma. This week, another surprise emerged as the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced that they had commenced inquisition on a case of alleged corruption which also involved Sigma. What a mess.

Two weeks ago, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially appointed nine commissioners of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) for the 2023 – 2028 term of office. The commissioners conveyed their work targets for the first 100 days, which included supervising the energy and mineral resources sectors where the business competition index is still below average. This work target may not be a coincidence because the person appointed as the new Chief of the KPPU is M Fanshurullah Asa, former chairman of BPH Migas. Interestingly, after the inauguration, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, urged the KPPU to immediately take a firm stance against the alleged monopoly of aviation fuel trade in Indonesia. A problem that Luhut has been raising since 2019.

The 2024 General Election (Pemilu) will take place on Feb. 14, 2024. A total of 24 political parties will compete, there are 18 national political parties and six local political parties in Aceh. Each party, as we know, also takes part in three coalitions that nominate three presidential and vice presidential candidates. Of the dozens of parties, there are a number of political parties whose cadres or members have been caught in corruption cases. Some even still have the guts to run for office again. Which party has so far “contributed” the most to the problem?

Back in August 2023, the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) asked the General Elections Commission (KPU) to immediately announce the names of candidates for legislative members at all levels who are former convicts, especially graft convicts. ICW claimed that KPU seemed to cover this up because it never made an announcement as promised. KPU made the much-needed announcement several days later. Entering 2024, The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced their new investigation and conducted two sting operations. Among the parties ensnared are representatives of a political party. This makes us wonder, which parties have corrupt politicians?

We know that the past several years were tough for PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (GIAA), but perhaps the problems will be over soon. The flag carrier finally was able to catch some breath in 2022 after they managed to resolve the debt restructuring process (PKPU) with a peace agreement, although there was a small obstacle. Two of the company creditors, Greylag Goose Leasing 1410 Designated Activity Company and Greylag Goose Leasing 1446 Designated Activity Company attempted to apply for the cancellation of the peace agreement, which ultimately failed. At the same time, lawsuits filed against Garuda Indonesia in other countries also failed. Garuda Indonesia then decided to file a lawsuit against the two creditors, however, Greylag Goose refused to surrender. The two companies filed lawsuits in the beginning of 2023, still seeking for cancellation of the peace agreement. This week we learned that the attempt once again failed.

In the midst of the successive attacks that were leveled at the Government, several parties used this opportunity to complain about several allegations of corruption. This is of course a very common thing, but it becomes unusual when the reported problem involves parties who have prolonged legal problems and the other party involved in this case is an admired figure. This is what happened when the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) received a report regarding alleged corruption carried out by the former Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights, Eddy Hiariej. Eddy, who was at the peak of his career, was made a suspect not long after, but he fought back. This resistance bore fruit, at least for now, after Eddy’s pre-trial lawsuit was granted by the South Jakarta District Court.

For the umpteenth time, Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators have carried out a Sting Operation in East Java. This time, the KPK succeeded in securing a number of parties and uncovering a case of alleged corruption in Sidoarjo. After the initial...

Peer-to-peer lending platform (P2P lender), Investree, was ambitious to help strengthen the Indonesian economy by providing financial assistance to SMEs, especially those affected by COVID-19. This ambition is what makes them get a series of funding even in the midst...

As explained in the previous article, Tom Lembong’s appearance to the public caused commotion. But the public actually know that each presidential and vice presidential candidate has oligarchic support even before Jatam published their latest press release and website, therefore this topic will not attract that much attention if the parties did not decide to hold a public feud. What is interesting for us is a different question from several parties, has Tom Lembong —during his time as head of BKPM— ever made any destructive decisions?

On Jan, 26, 2024, the Mining Advocacy Network (Jaringan Advokasi Tambang – Jatam), a non-governmental organization that focuses on human rights, gender, environmental, indigenous people and social justice issues in the mining and oil and gas industry, published a press release reviewing the network of mining and energy oligarchs in the camps of each presidential and vice presidential candidate.