On July 27, 2020, the South Jakarta District Court was supposed to continue the trial on Joko Tjandra’s Reconsideration petition. Nevertheless, Joko was again absent for the fourth time. It was unacceptable. So the Reconsideration petition should be rejected. Strangely, however, the Panel of Judges had a different opinion. Doubt over the credibility of the South Jakarta District Court is rising. 

The trial to examine the petition for Reconsideration (PK) submitted by fugitive Joko Tjandra was supposed to proceed yesterday after being postponed twice. Nevertheless, the trial had to be postponed once more because Joko was not present. Apart from the trial process, there’s been no explanation on the relationship between Joko Tjandra’s escape with Papua New Guinea.

The Chief of the National Police (Kapolri) dismissed the Head of the Civil Servant Investigation and Coordination Bureau (Rokorwas PPNS) of the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim Polri) Brigadier General (Pol) Prasetijo Utomo from his position on July 15, 2020. Prasetijo—who issued a travel permit (surat jalan) for Joko Tjandra—was detained on the same day for investigation purposes. 

On July 15, 2020, the Head of the Civil Servant Investigation and Coordination Bureau (Rokorwas PPNS) at the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim Polri) Brigadier General (Pol) Prasetijo Utomo was removed from his position. He’s the one who issued a travel permit (surat jalan) for Joko Tjandra. Prasetijo supposedly issued the latter on his own accord. It’s bizarre given Joko’s status as a fugitive. 

KB Kookmin (South Korea) almost certain will become new controlling shareholder of the troubled Bank Bukopin (BBKP), replacing Aksa Family (Bosowa Group), with the bank’s disclosure on Tuesday to issue 22.24 billion new shares without preemptive rights (PMTHMETD). It remains unclear, however, whether Taiwan’s Cathay Life will replace Dr Tahir as new controlling shareholder of Bank Mayapada (MAYA).

Decisions from the Financial Services Authority (OJK) allowing SMBC to control Bank BTPN and The Bangkok Bank to control Bank Permata with more than 40% shares have set the tone. Kookmin Bank (South Korea) is now looking for majority control over Bank Bukopin, while Cathay Life (Taiwan) seeks majority and controlling shares in Bank Mayapada. 

Bank Mayapada (MAYA), controlled by Dr Tahir, who is also member of advisory council for President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, was among the fastest growing bank with total assets of Rp93.4 trillion by Dec 31, 2019. We had several times wondered how the bank, which survived the 1997-1999 Asian financial crisis, became a ‘major bank’.

The fugitive Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra, a.k.a Joko Soegiarto Tjandra, colloquially known as the Joker, has been a hot topic for the past few days. Many wonder how Djoko could freely return to Indonesia, officially renew his electronic identification card (E-KTP), and register his Reconsideration (PK) petition in person at the South Jakarta District Court. Djoko remains a high-profile figure in the context of Indonesian business and politics. Perhaps, his political connection can help us understand this ridiculous development.

Joko Soegiarto Tjandra, otherwise known as Djoko Tjandra, was convicted in the Bank Bali cessie case and is an international fugitive. Joko only has to stay in prison for two years and only has to pay a fine of Rp15 million subsidiary three months in prison. In addition, the Rp500 billion saved in the escrow account seized by the prosecutors was to be returned to the State. 

Joko Tjandra’s appearance in public at the beginning of last month caused a stir across the country. Many are questioning how it is possible for a fugitive to return to Indonesia without anyone knowing other than his legal counsels. What happened is not surprising, though, knowing that Joko has always been nicknamed the Joker. There are many legal loopholes that cause debate and need to be answered, but thanks to this issue we are reminded again that after all these years Joko Tjandra remains powerful. Although the public knew Joko Tjandra because of the Bank Bali case, there were several other cases related to him, one of which is the case of default which caused prolonged dispute between Bank BRI and its Pension Fund against PT Mulia Persada Pacific, a part of Mulia group controlled by the Tjandra family.