Earlier this year, the power of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) was strengthened by the authority to investigate along with the enactment of Law No. 4/2023 concerning Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector (UU PPSK). However, we all know that the institution has never been without problems and with so many responsibilities, its performance is still being questioned by many parties. This time, the question was brought to the Constitutional Court in the form of a Judicial Review application. The court examination is ongoing.

Towards the end of 2021, the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim POLRI) announced that they were investigating allegations of corruption at PT Jakarta Infrastruktur Propertindo (PT JIP), a subsidiary of PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro)—a company owned by city administration of Jakarta. The POLRI also announced that it had named two suspects in the case and later developed the investigation and named the two suspects as suspects in the case of alleged money laundering. It took more than a year for the two suspects to be found guilty last month. Interestingly, the POLRI did not stop investigating. This week, POLRI announced two new suspects in the predicate crime.

For some time now the public has been disturbed by the ongoing Judicial Review at the Constitutional Court that aims to change the age limit of presidential and vice presidential candidates. To date, there have been at least 10 applications with similar aims. Because the applications were submitted to coincide with the general election process, many suspected that this was a way for Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, to become a vice presidential candidate. However, is that really the case? Why is this application at issue? Haven’t we wanted leaders from the younger generation for a long time because we are tired of the “boomers”?

PT Waskita Karya (Persero) Tbk (WSKT) continues to face problems. In addition to the investigation into allegations of corruption in its subsidiary, PT Waskita Beton Precast Tbk (WSBP), which was finally ensnared the company’s president director two months ago, the company must face a new PKPU lawsuit from one of its bondholders. This is the fourth PKPU lawsuit filed against the company this year and the court examination is ongoing. To make things worse, the State Capital Injection (PMN) which had previously been approved by the Government, was canceled last week. On social media, news circulated from several former employees who stated that they would support the vendors in filing a new lawsuit. The condition of the company is very critical.

Fuad Hasan Masyhur, father-in-law of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Ario Bimo Nandito Ariotedjo, was recently subpoenaed by a businessman from South Sulawesi, Annar Salahuddin Sampetoding. Annar claimed that Fuad had debt and interest worth more than Rp100 billion, which came from a sale and purchase transaction between the two, but it turned out that there was a family feud between the agreements.

In the beginning of last year, the Satgas BLBI (Satuan Tugas Penanganan Hak Tagih Negara Dana Bantuan Likuiditas Bank Indonesia), a task force under Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati’s supervision to recover funds related to the 1997-1998 financial crisis, confiscated some of the assets on behalf of Ulung Bursa (Bank Lautan Berlian). Ulung once decided to fight back but then reached some sort of agreement with the Satgas. Over a year later, this week, the confiscated assets were announced to be auctioned.

Back in September 2022, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reported that they are handling three different cases of alleged corruption and ensnaring three regional leaders, they are then Governor of Papua, Lukas Enembe (Demokrat); then Mimika Regent, Eltinus Omaleng (Golkar); and then Mamberamo Tengah Regent, Ricky Ham Pagawak (Demokrat). Long before the KPK officially announced their cases, however, Ricky managed to escape. He was caught in February 2023 and this week, Ricky finally stands trial as a graft defendant.

The latest Sting Operation Committed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) caused an unexpected drama. The operation was conducted related to 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. Henri allegedly received grafts worth a whooping Rp88 billion (nearly US$6 million) in just two years. Amidst the public’s shock, however, the TNI caused a commotion. They protested the KPK’s decision because two suspects were active military officers. The situation got worse because the problematic Deputy Chief of KPK, Johanis Tanak, apologized and blamed his subordinates. The public witnessed yet another internal brawl within the KPK as the KPK Chief, Firli Bahuri, gave a statement that was contrary to what Johanis presented. With so much drama happening in less than a week plus public pressure, the TNI has finally officially named Henri and his staff as suspects in the same case. What can we learn from this?