Mining Journal
We started 2022 with a heated hearing between Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, and lawmakers at House Commission VII of the House of Representatives. The root of the problem was the discussion about illegal miners. One lawmaker from the Democratic Party, Muhammad Nasir (brother of Nazaruddin, former treasurer convicted in a series of corruption cases), questioned Arifin why the so-called coal queen Tan Paulin was yet to be arrested. This rare event prompted several national media outlets to find out about Paulin. Days later, through her legal counsel, Paulin exercised her right to reply to an article reported by CNBC Indonesia and denied Nasir’s accusations. The situation had subsided for a while until last week. Similar accusations are being leveled against PT Batuah Energi Prima (PT BEP), who has a complicated link with Paulin. The House of Representatives demanded the Government revoke the license granted to PT BEP. Meanwhile, in East Kalimantan, it is reported that the police are investigating alleged crimes committed by the Company.
Continued Pressure on Luhut
The Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, remains under pressure. Luhut, a senior politician from the Golkar Party, has been reported to the Police for allegedly making a public lie and creating a controversy surrounding the postponement of the 2024 elections. Some are also trying to connect Luhut’s name with the cooking oil mafia case implicating the executives from three palm oil giants, including the Wilmar Group.
Court Rejects Another Attempt at Eliminating Threshold
The Constitutional Court (MK) rejected three more judicial review (JR) requests against the presidential threshold set in the Election Law (UU Pemilu) No. 7/2017. There’s no dissenting opinion from all the nine constitutional justices this time.
Comparing Political Dynasty: Jokowi & SBY
Most of us, perhaps, do not like political dynasties. Still, it is an interesting topic in political studies. In that context, let’s talk about President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). We all know that they are trying to build their political dynasty. The question is, which one has more potential for success?
Corruption in the Export-Import Sector
Two days ago, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) announced that it had investigated alleged violations of the law in the provision of export licenses for Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and named four suspects. Three of the suspects are giant CPO producing companies and the...
Megawati on the Regional Autonomy Issue
The fifth President, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the chairperson of the ruling party PDIP, addressed some important issues at an event held by the National Research & Innovation Body (BRIN) on Wednesday (April 20). Apart from emphasizing the PDIP’s rejection of the postponement of the 2024 elections, Megawati also responded to the plan of creating new provincial administrations.
Presidential Pairing Talks (6)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is on his two-day visit to East Java, the second largest province in Indonesia. On the first day of his visit, the President was accompanied by, among others, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir, and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
Soekarwo’s Relationship with Megawati & Jokowi
The relationship between former East Java Governor Soekarwo and the Chairperson of the ruling party PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri is getting closer than ever. Soekarwo, who is a key leader of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)’s Democratic Party, is also known close to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. After all, Soekarwo is a member of the President’s Advisory Council (Wantimpres). Soekarwo also supported the President’s reelection in 2019.
Nasdem-Democratic Party Axis
One of the key questions in Indonesian politics today is: Who will be the first to break up from their political alliance ahead of the 2024 general election? Nasdem Party, a political party led by media mogul Surya Paloh, could be the one to do so. The Party could form a coalition with the Democratic Party, a political party led by former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY).
Verdict for PT Merial Esa
Six years have passed since the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered the Bakamla graft case. Meanwhile, over three years have passed since the KPK named PT Merial Esa as the corporate suspect in the case. This case shows the ability of the KPK to carry out a thorough investigation. On April 19, 2022, the Panel of Judges read out its decision and declared the Company guilty.