Revisiting the E-KTP Graft Case
After years of waiting, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) finally announced the continuation of the investigation into the case of corruption in the procurement process of the electronic identity card (E-KTP). Back in 2019, the KPK named four new suspects. Last week, the KPK officially detained two of the suspects. Despite the prolonged process, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Will this latest development reveal things that have been bugging the public for so long?
On Corruption in South Sumatera: Alex Noerdin’s Trial
Towards the end of 2021, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) announced the inquisition into the case of corruption in the purchase of natural gas by Perusahaan Daerah Pertambangan dan Energi of South Sumatera (PDPDE Sumsel). It named two suspects including former Governor of South Sumatera Alex Noerdin (Golkar). Just days after that, the local prosecutors’ office, with the help from the AGO, announced the development of investigation and inquisition into the case of corruption in the construction of the Sriwijaya Mosque, and named several new suspects including Alex Noerdin. Last week, Alex stood trial as defendant in the two cases.
Khofifah: What Makes Her Different?
The Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa has been mentioned as someone with the potential to run in the 2024 presidential election. The endorsement for Khofifah came from the Pemuda Muhammadiyah, the youth wing organization of the Muhammadiyah. But unlike the other governors and aspiring presidential candidates, Khofifah has not talked about the 2024 race nor responded to the endorsement given to her, which is good.
Another Potential Tension between Prabowo-Sandi
A group of ulemas from the Pemuda Islam Indonesia (PII) held a declaration event in Lampung to support the Minister of Tourism & Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, who is a key leader of Prabowo Subianto’s Gerindra Party. They want Sandi to run in the 2024 race as presidential candidate. Interestingly, this group is from the same organization with the previous group of ulemas that had endorsed Sandi. Will it trigger another tension between Prabowo and Sandi?
More Generals Opposing the New Capital City
Two more generals have joined forces with a group of people that filed a judicial review (JR) request at the Constitutional Court (MK) to challenge the new Law on the New Capital City (UU IKN). But given their track record of opposing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, it’s not surprising that these generals are rejecting the President’s plan to move the capital city and build a new one in East Kalimantan.
Imin’s 2024 Maneuver
The Islamic party PKB is trying to promote its party chairman Muhaimin Iskandar to become the running mate of Prabowo Subianto, the chairman of Gerindra Party, in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The Party believes that the pairing of Prabowo-Imin will be an ideal combination for the 2024 race. But we believe that PKB has a better figure to promote than Imin.
Corruption in Buru Selatan
Last week, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named suspects in the case of bribery related to the procurement of goods and services in the Buru Selatan regency, in the province of Maluku. The announcement was made after an investigation into the allegations of crimes committed during the tenure of former Regent Tagop Sudarsono Soulisa (PDIP). Tagop served for two periods from 2011 to 2021. Tagop allegedly received Rp10 billion in bribes. The KPK also named Tagop a suspect of money laundering. We are expecting to see more details unfold.
Challenging the New Capital City Law: First Attempt
In just two weeks after the House of Representatives (DPR) passed the Bill on the New Capital City (RUU IKN) into law, a group of people filed a judicial review (JR) request at the Constitutional Court (MK) to challenge it. This is the first legal attempt to cancel the New Capital City Law (UU IKN).
2024: Important Dates & Aspiring Candidates
The General Election Commission (KPU) finally reached an agreement with the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Central Government that the 2024 election day will be held on Feb. 14, 2024. In the meantime, a number of aspiring presidential candidates have talked about the 2024 race in public, and some even declared an early presidential bid.
Corruption in Kolaka Timur
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) only conducted five sting operations in 2021. One of them is the sting operation that caught the Regent of Kolaka Timur, Andi Merya Nur (NasDem). Recently, the KPK announced the result of the investigation and named Andi Merya a suspect for allegedly bribing an official at the Ministry of Home Affairs. At the heart of the case is the Regent’s attempt to take advantage of the National Economic Recovery (PEN) funds handed to regions for overcoming difficulties due to the COVID-19 outbreak.