The curse of natural resources is not only happening in Africa, but also Indonesia: a country with abundant natural resources, yet entangled in severe structural poverty. The chasm between the rich and poor is gaping. According to Bisnis Indonesia daily (September 24, 2016), the Gini ratio of land ownership in Indonesia in 2016 was close to 0.58, meaning that 1% of the population controls 59% of agrarian, land and spatial resources.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) officially detained former Minister of Social Affairs, Idrus Marham, on Friday (31/8). He was detained after having been named a suspect in the alleged bribery in the Riau-1 Steam Power Plant (PLTU) project, last week. Idrus was named a suspect by the KPK with the suspicion of using his influence as the Secretary General of the Golkar Party in the power plant project.

The head of the Sukamiskin Prison, Wahid Husen was arrested in a raid operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), on Saturday, 21 July 2018. It was suspected that the head of the prison has received bribes in relation to facilities and exit permits for the prisoners.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted an operation to arrest Eni Maulani Saragih, a member of the House of Representatives of the Golkar Faction and Vice Chairman of Commission VII on energy, research and technology, and environment. Eni allegedly took up to Rp 4.8 billion in bribes, in the form of commitment money to the amount of 2.5% of the value of the Riau-1 Mine Mouth Coal-Fired Electric Plant (PLTU MT) project. The investment value of this project reached US$ 900 million with planned capacity of 2 x 300 MW and commercial operation target in 2023.

Two weeks ago the judges of Jakarta Corruption Court verdicted Fredrich Yunadi, former lawyer of Setya Novanto, to 7 years in prison. In addition to the prison verdict, Fredrich is also required to pay a fine of Rp 500 million in lieu of 5 months in prison.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Governor of Aceh, Irwandi Yusuf for alleged bribery, in the Hall of the Governor of Aceh on Tuesday (3/7). From the results of the raid operation, KPK seized evidence in the form of money amounting to Rp 500 million originally provided by the Regent of Bener Meriah, Ahmadi to Irwandi Yusuf. The KPK stated that the money was part of a commitment fee amounting to 8%, which is a share for officials in the Aceh Provincial Government, of any project financed by the Special Autonomy Fund (Otsus).

Annual Report ICW 2017

After meeting with the head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has put on hold plans to roll out the draft changes to the Criminal Code (RKUHP), which was set to take place on the 17th August this year. The delay in implementing the new laws has been brought about by pressure from the KPK, with the Commission concerned that the changes will trivialise their work and limit their scope for eradicating corruption.

Last Saturday (30/6) the Electoral Commission (KPU) officially implemented a new series of regulations concerning the eligibility of candidates running in local and national general elections - Peraturan KPU no. 20 2018 (PKPU). One of the conditions outlined in the PKPU is that individuals with prior convictions for corruption will not be allowed to stand as candidates in next year’s general elections.

Corruption is one of the current issues happening in Indonesia. Based on Corruption Perception Index (IPK) in 2018, Indonesia ranked 89 th from 180 countries. Indonesia scored 38 from the scale of 0-100, where the lower number resembles the more corrupted country, and vice versa. In compare with 2017 rank, Indonesia placed 96th with the score of 37. The additional one point from IPK does not affected the law enforcement to maximize the corruption eradication, though we have achieved higher position.