Indonesia & Corruption: a few articles in the past few weeks

[centurion]

Regarding the collection point, a few people have mentioned this in other forums. There is a counter available at the international airport, just after exiting the Arrivals Terminal.

Ideally, the collection could be done alongside the Visa on Arrival (VoA) process, but from what I understand, immigration officials decline to collect it for them. Additionally, the Indonesian National Police have also refused to police it, so they’ll have to depend on their local government staff for enforcement.

Alternatively, based on their guidance, you could also pay it online from Balinese province website, https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/ and you will receive the levy voucher via email.

Also, if I recall correctly (though I would need to check the exact wording), holders of ITAS/ ITAP are exempt from this levy, but they must apply for the exemption.

Came trough the domestic terminal. Nothing there.

 

[centurion]

Ideally, the collection could be done alongside the Visa on Arrival (VoA) process, but from what I understand, immigration officials decline to collect it for them. Additionally, the Indonesian National Police have also refused to police it, so they’ll have to depend on their local government staff for enforcement.

Why would the central government doing colecting fees for Bali provincial government?

Ideally, the tax could be collected by hotels/villa owners.

 

[Balifrog]

Why would the central government doing colecting fees for Bali provincial government?

Ideally, the tax could be collected by hotels/villa owners.

Well, that is a GREAT idea.....
I see 2 options :

• They put the money in their pocket
• They can't be bothered with it.

I had several visitors coming over since this thing was invented, none of them paid it.

 

[pantaiema]

Well, that is a GREAT idea.....
I see 2 options :

• They put the money in their pocket
• They can't be bothered with it.

I had several visitors coming over since this thing was invented, none of them paid it.

Yes, I have read many stories of people simply not paying the levy and facing no consequences. There is a potential risk that, during a crackdown, tourists who are caught could be denied services from the Balinese government. However, I haven’t come across any actual reports of raids or people getting penalised.

They do appear to allocate a small portion of the levy to visible projects, like placing garbage bins in strategic locations, to give the impression to public that the funds are being used as intended, to dodge criticism. But in less visible or remote areas, they don’t seem to bother at all. They seem to know how to make it look like something’s being done and very creative about it.

Just look at what is happening here: even basic necessities like sanitation, waste collection, pavements, essential for public safety are poorly maintained.

Foreign visitors MUST be accompanied by licensed local tour guides

On March 24, 2025, the Bali Provincial Government released Circular Letter (SE) Number 7 of 2025, introducing a new set of regulations for foreign tourists visiting the island. Signed by Governor Wayan Koster in Denpasar, the circular formalizes a cultural code of conduct aimed at encouraging...

www.expatindo.org

 

[Balifrog]

Yes, I have read many stories of people simply not paying the levy and facing no consequences. There is a potential risk that, during a crackdown, tourists who are caught could be denied services from the Balinese government. However, I haven’t come across any actual reports of raids or people getting penalised.

They do appear to allocate a small portion of the levy to visible projects, like placing garbage bins in strategic locations, to give the impression to public that the funds are being used as intended, to dodge criticism. But in less visible or remote areas, they don’t seem to bother at all. They seem to know how to make it look like something’s being done and very creative about it.

Just look at what is happening here: even basic necessities like sanitation, waste collection, pavements, essential for public safety are poorly maintained.

Foreign visitors MUST be accompanied by licensed local tour guides

On March 24, 2025, the Bali Provincial Government released Circular Letter (SE) Number 7 of 2025, introducing a new set of regulations for foreign tourists visiting the island. Signed by Governor Wayan Koster in Denpasar, the circular formalizes a cultural code of conduct aimed at encouraging...

www.expatindo.org

Yes, but now everything is going to change.
It is serious now...

Bali Tourism Tax Shake Up Will Make It Harder For Travelers To Avoid Payment

The Bali Tourism tax Levy was introduced in February 2024 but figures show that less than 40% of international travellers have been paying.

thebalisun.com

Love that part....
"One of the key updates to the policy is to strengthen its enforcement, and work with an external provider so that all tourists pay their IDR 150,000 contribution, .."

"an external provider" ....what could go wrong ?

 

[fastpitch17]

Yes, but now everything is going to change.
It is serious now...

Bali Tourism Tax Shake Up Will Make It Harder For Travelers To Avoid Payment

The Bali Tourism tax Levy was introduced in February 2024 but figures show that less than 40% of international travellers have been paying.

thebalisun.com

Love that part....
"One of the key updates to the policy is to strengthen its enforcement, and work with an external provider so that all tourists pay their IDR 150,000 contribution, .."

"an external provider" ....what could go wrong ?

Spread the wealth.

 

[Bob]

Why would the central government doing colecting fees for Bali provincial government?

Ideally, the tax could be collected by hotels/villa owners.

That would get messy and there'd be a lot of leakage.

 

[centurion]

That would get messy and there'd be a lot of leakage.

And now the plumbing works quite well.

 

[Bob]

And now the plumbing works quite well.

I'm sure it would leak tremendously once hotels got the task of collecting the levy.

 

[Shadrach]

Spread the wealth.

To who? Their fellow corrupt friends? And who would hold them accountable? And who would hold the person doing the accounting accountable?

 

[pantaiema]

Another alleged alleged bribery case of Rp60M.
This Head of the South Jakarta District Court, Muhammad Arif Nuryanta, has been officially named a suspect by the Attorney General's Office. This determination was made because Arif was suspected of being involved in a bribery case related to crude palm oil (CPO) export facilities. In this case, three large companies were said to be involved, namely the Wilmar Group, Permata Hijau Group, and Musim Mas Group. Arif is suspected of accepting bribes with a fantastic value, reaching 60 billion rupiah. The funds were allegedly used to arrange the composition of the panel of judges and ensure that the three companies were declared not guilty or 'ontslaag' in the ongoing legal case.

During investigation the state prosecutors found luxurious cars, including Ferrari, and a pile up of cash in various currencies.

Ketua Pengadilan Negeri Jaksel Diduga Terima Suap Rp 60 M, Ini Jumlah Harta Kekayaannya

Ketua Pengadilan Negeri Jaksel Diduga Terima Suap Rp 60 M, Ini Jumlah Harta Kekayaannya

video.kompas.com

If judges can be bribed, even those on the Supreme Court, and a reasonable number of such cases have already been reported, then what is the point of having a court?

About the Indonesian Justice system. The Ex-minister is exposing, 'Our Judicial System is Rotten!'
Mahfud MD Responds to Judge Caught in Rp60 Billion Bribery

Even judges in the Supreme Court have been involved in bribery, the ultimate court sometimes meant to settle disputes worth trillions of rupiah. It raises the question: what's the point of going through all the effort of bringing a case to court if the outcome can just be swayed by whoever could pay more ?

 

[serious_fun]

'Our Judicial System is Rotten!'

It's sickening isn't it? It almost seems as if these people are competing with each other to see who can steal the most...

 

[serious_fun]

Is the case of the Indonesian police chief arrested for alleged sexual abuse of little children considered a type of corruption? I'm not sure where to post this...it seems appropriate to post here since the scumbag was a police chief, another "upstanding member of Indonesian society".

 

[pantaiema]

The judges, accepting bribery to sway the case is not just in big cities This recent case is in Jepara, central Java

Rp5.5 Billion Worth of Money Found Wrapped in Two Plastic Bags Under Judge's Mattress.

Moments of Finding IDR 5.5 Billion in Cash Under the Bed of Judge Ali Muhtarom's House in Jepara.

Cases like these, involving judges, including those in the Supreme Court mentioned in this thread are just the ones that have come to light. But what about the many others who have yet to be exposed? It's no surprise that a senior former minister like Mahfud MD declared, "Our judicial system is rotten!"

 

[pantaiema]

Another Corruption Case Cilegon Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Suspect in Alleged Extortion of Rp5 Trillion Project Quota. This might be one of the reason why foreign investors are thinking twice, before investing in Indonesia. There are too many additional costs.

Video: Bos Kadin Cilegon Tersangka Dugaan Pemerasan Jatah Proyek Rp5 T

Polda Banten menetapkan Ketua Kadin Cilegon, sebagai tersangka dugaan pemerasan jatah proyek sebesar 5 triliun Rupiah tanpa lelang.

www.cnbcindonesia.com

Kasus Pemerasan Proyek Rp5 Triliun, Ketua Kadin Cilegon Ditetapkan Jadi Tersangka

Polda Banten menetapkan Ketua dan Wakil Ketua Kadin Kota Cilegon sebagai tersangka pemerasan proyek bernilai lima triliun.

www.kompas.tv

These footage shows the Chief of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, not ordinary thugs, insisting on securing a Rp5 trillion project without going through the normal tender process.

If these thugs go unpunished, consumers will end up paying the price, and it will deter foreign investment in Indonesia.

 

[pantaiema]

Attorney General's Office arrests Sritex (Engaged in textile industry) CEO Iwan Lukminto

Kejagung tangkap Dirut Sritex Iwan Lukminto

Penyidik pada Jaksa Agung Muda Bidang Tindak Pidana Khusus (Jampidsus) Kejaksaan Agung menangkap mantan Direktur Utama PT Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex) Iwan ...

www.antaranews.com

Iwan Kurniawan Lukminto was arrested in connection with an alleged corruption case involving the provision of bank credit to PT Sritex.

https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/marke...tang-sritex--sril--yang-menggunung-di-28-bank Sritex's (SRIL) Pile of Debts in 28 Banks

Additionally, he is also accused of misusing the customs privileges granted to the company because of its designation as a textile exporter.

An estimated IDR 3T is involved in the alleged corruption

 

[Helpful Herbert]

The Attorney General's Office also has a similar reputation

 

[pantaiema]

This is the continuation of Bribery Case in the Supreme Court involving Judges and Staffs in the Suprem Court..
Investigator Nearly Collapse to Finds Almost Rp1T cash in Zarof Ricar's House. Zarof Ricar is a staff in Supreme Court who also work as a broker to sway decision in the Supreme court.

Here is his profile

Profil Zarof Ricar Eks Pejabat MA Tersangka Suap Kasus Ronald Tannur

Eks pejabat MA Zarof Ricar ditetapkan sebagai tersangka kasus suap dalam perkara kasasi Ronald Tannur.

www.tempo.co

 

[Balifrog]

And another story....

https://jakartaglobe.id/news/ago-investigates-rp-10-trillion-chromebook-scandal-at-education-ministry

 

[marcus]

And another story.... ago-investigates-rp-10-trillion-chromebook-scandal-at-education-ministry

To me it doesn't seems a scandal or at least the arguments presented do not clearly show wrongdoing . Chromebook is commonly used (in primary & secondary schools) in USA and in my view , even about the worst model I cannot say it is simply : "ineffective" or has "poor performance" .
I used myself and gave (the cheapest 2nd hand) Chromebooks to my 3 older children (2 of them are in university and used Windows laptop before) and we have no relevant complaint .


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From the link above :
... alleged corruption in the Education Ministry’s Rp 10 trillion ($615 million) Chromebook procurement project, which was intended to support the digitalization of schools nationwide between 2019 and 2023 ... However, many of the devices have proven to be ineffective, particularly in regions lacking reliable internet access.

“There are strong indications of a conspiracy in the procurement process,” Harli said at a press conference in Jakarta. “Roughly 1,000 Chromebooks had previously been tested and showed poor performance, yet the procurement went ahead.”

Incompatibility and Potential Waste
Chromebooks rely on stable internet connections to function properly -- a challenge in many remote areas where schools lack adequate connectivity.
“Spending such a massive sum of public money on devices that don’t match the actual needs of students raises serious red flags,” ...


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From https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1415066.pdf
Title : The Effects of Chromebook Use on Student Engagement , 2024
By Mohammad Albataineh, Brenda Warren, Adel Al-Bataineh

... “in 2016, Chromebooks accounted for 58% of mobile devices shipped to primary and secondary schools in the United States, ...

Conclusions and Recommendations
... Based on this study’s findings, increasing Chromebook use would seem to be the logical recommendation for the continued growth of student motivation ...