Some were caught by surprise with a front page report of Kompas, the largest newspaper in the country, on Thursday. Kompas quoted anonymous source that Karen Agustiawan, CEO of Pertamina (the largest company in Indonesia), was caught in a conversation with then SKK Migas chief Rudi Rubiandini, who is a bribery and money laundering suspect, about ‘bonus’ for lawmakers at the House Commission VII (overseeing energy and mining affairs).

Adrian Kiki Ariawan has finally been extradited from Australia to Indonesia. Adrian, former shareholder of the collapsed Bank Surya, has been detained at Cipinang Correction Center since yesterday. The 70-year old was sentenced for life in prison in an in absentia trial because Kiki escaped to Australia. Judges found Kiki guilty for disbursing loans to 168 fictitious companies, while the bank got liquidity assistance from Bank Indonesia (known as BLBI).

Sinarmas Group’s Golden Agri-Resources mulls US$500 million investment plan to boost its presence in the oleochemical world, especially fatty acid. Djarum and Wings Group, meanwhile, expand their fatty alcohol business. Fatty acid and alcohols are two of the widely produced derivatives of palm oil used in pharmaceuticals, soap, shampoo, etc. How about Bakrie’s oleochemical assets acquired from the collapsed Domba Mas Group few years ago?

What more can I say? President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has once again claimed that eradication of corruption during his term is the most aggressive in Indonesian history. A naïve claim considering the poor performances of the two key law enforcement institutions under the president’s watch: the Police and Attorney General Office (AGO). And then there are SBY’s Democratic Party colleagues and his cabinet members who are implicated in various graft cases. Aggressive corruption eradication? Really?

After divesting shares in Jakarta Garden City to Modernland for S$249 million and indirect ownership in Hotel Sedona, Manado last year, Keppel Land—developer of two office towers in Jakarta, reinvests in the city’s property market with plan to develop more than 1,000 condominium units and shop-houses in West Jakarta.

Hanura Party, where Harry Tanoesoedibjo is the ‘campaign manager’, sets an ambitious target to come out as third largesy party in April election. Latest survey from Kompas, the largest newspaper in Indonesia, pointed to Hanura in sixth behind Nasional Demokrat and President SBY’s Democratic Party. What a stronger political power means for Harry’s MNC Group, public shareholders, and creditors?

On May 16, 2013, Ottawa Holdings Pte Ltd, unit of MNC Investama (BHIT) issued US$365 million 5.875% Senior Secured Guaranteed Notes due 2018. Market price of the Notes, unfortunately, has dropped significantly in the past few months on potential higher risks because of falling rupiah, while most of revenues are generated in rupiah.

Bagus Group and its controlling owner enjoyed the boom of consumer market in recent years. The owner, despite controversies surrounding Kopitiam trade mark dispute, was elected chairman of The International Association of Fuzhou Corporation in December 2012 to lead Indonesian Chinese.

Noble Group Ltd, one of the region’s major players in resources business, has acquired 100% shares in PT WHS Maritime Investment, which has involved in disputes with directorate general of customs and excise at ministry of finance. At the same time, Noble divested its ownership in PT Jatro Indonesia.