December 27, 2016 edition

Two weeks ago Eko Susilo Hadi spent one and a half hours alone in his office on the first floor of the Marine Security Board's (Bakamla) old building in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta. Bakamla's deputy for information, law and cooperation was supposed to join his colleagues for the general rehearsal of an official ceremony for the board's anniversary. Eko had asked for his superior's consent to be absent in the preparations, saying he had to attend the funeral of a family member.
After the midday prayers, the silence in Eko's room was finally broken. Two visitors, delegated by Melati Technofo Indonesia, Hardy Stefanus and Muhammad Adam Okta, arrived, delivering a packet containing US and Singapore dollar banknotes worth Rp2 billion. Their mission completed, Hardy and Adam hurriedly returned to the parking lot. But the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) task force team, who had been following them, immediately arrested both men.
Other KPK team members went directly up to Eko's room. Caught with the money still lying on the table, Eko could do nothing. "KPK officers promptly counted the money, witnessed by a Bakamla employee," said Bakamla Chief Secretary Agus Setiadji, last Thursday. With the evidence in their hands, the KPK team took Eko and the two private employees to the KPK head office.

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More Law articles in other editions

December 20, 2016 edition

Police are investigating the alleged corruption of the 2018 Asian Games promotional campaign funds. The Indonesian Olympic Committees secretary-general has been indicted.

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November 29, 2016 edition

The transaction last Monday went quickly and smoothly. At 8pm, Handang Soekarno, head of the Preliminary Evidence Investigation Sub-Directorate of the Finance Ministry arrived at a Spring Hills apartment unit in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, where businessman Rajesh Rajamohan Nair was already waiting. Fifteen minutes later, Handang left the premises.
The Corruption Eradication Committee's (KPK) team, who had been staking out the place since afternoon wasted no time. They intercepted the black Honda Civic Handang was riding in. The driver, who was also Handang's aide, did not put up a fight. "The KPK seized US$145,500 from Handang," said KPK Chief Agus Rahardjo last week, adding that the amount of approximately Rp1.9 billion was only a 'down payment'.

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November 15, 2016 edition

HOTMAN Sitorus is gearing up for a long hearing, when he represents the government in a case that will review three articles of decency in the Criminal Code (KUHP), by the Constitutional Court. Generally, a judicial review can be completed in four to five hearings, but this was not the case with this particular judicial review request.
"It's the longest session. Seven parties are involved, and each can present up to nine expert witnesses," said the head of the subdirectorate of litigation at the justice and human rights ministry, on Thursday last week.

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November 8, 2016 edition

The government and the DPR have approved 'the right to be forgotten' in the revision of Information and Electronic Transaction Law. The revision may lead to abuse.

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November 1, 2016 edition

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October 25, 2016 edition

Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education Muhammad Nasir said it is possible there are people claiming to have a close connection with him and acting as 'brokers' in elections at several universities. The former rector of Semarang's Diponegoro University said if this is indeed happening, he does not know about it nor would he be able to prevent them from 'trading influences' with rector candidates. "That's normal, but I wish it did not happen," he told Tempo during an interview in his study on Thursday, two weeks ago.
The minister's vote, which accounts for 35 percent, is a decisive factor in elections.
Because state universities are funded by the state budget, a minister is entitled to select one of three candidates. We don't just appoint people. Their track records are important, and they must have a clear vision and mission.

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