fter days of back and forth, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has dropped plans to question President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s youngest son Kaesang Pangarep to clarify the details regarding his lavish private jet trip to the United States, despite mounting public pressure to investigate. This decision further shows the KPK’s lack of seriousness and efforts to combat corruption without discrimination. Last month, while the nation was infuriated over the House of Representatives’ efforts to annul the Constitutional Court’s decision in a speedy revision of the Regional Elections Law, Kaesang and his pregnant wife Erina Gudono triggered public anger for flexing their trip to the US aboard a private jet on social media.
Netizens have since accused the couple’s flight aboard the private jet as being provided by Singaporean tech tycoon Gang Ye, which could fall into the category of unlawful gratuity or trading in influence given Kaesang’s status as the President’s son. Netizens found that the Gulfstream GVI G650ER jet carrying Kaesang and Erina is owned by Garena Online (Pvt) Ltd., a game developer under Sea Limited, which is Shopee's parent company.
Gang Ye visited Surakarta, Central Java, the First Family’s hometown, in February 2022 to discuss the Java in Paris event, organized by then-mayor , Jokowi’s eldest son. The uproar over Kaesang’s private jet has apparently led one Indonesian-born Singaporean, Septian Hartono, to file a report against Garena with the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). At home, the KPK has shifted its approach to investigating Kaesang.
Initially planning to summon the chairman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) for clarification on the alleged gratuity, the KPK has canceled the plan. The case has been transferred from the Directorate of Gratuities to the Directorate of Public Complaint Services (PLPM). Whether you're looking to broaden your horizons or stay informed on the latest developments, "Viewpoint" is the perfect source for anyone seeking to engage with the issues that matter most.
By registering, you agree with 's Please check your email for your newsletter subscription. Many have defended Kaesang against these allegations. Information and Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi said that Kaesang’s use of the private jet was to protect his pregnant wife from the laborious process of international travel in a commercial airline.
He also stated that Kaesang should not be investigated, as the private jet is not a gratuity since Kaesang is not a public official. Similarly, KPK deputy chairman Nurul Ghufron said Kaesang has no obligation to report the alleged gratuity, including making any disclosure, because he is not in the public sector. However, Nurul said the antigraft body is still studying relevant regulations to decide the next steps it should take to respond to the controversy.
Conversely, KPK chairman Nawawi Pomolanago assured the public that investigations would continue. He noted that Kaesang’s close family ties—his father being the President, his elder brother the vice president-elect and former Surakarta mayor, and his brother-in-law the Medan mayor—could complicate matters. As such, Kaesang should not be considered an individual case.
The KPK has experience investigating graft cases involving family members, as it did when it prosecuted former tax official Rafael Alun Trisambodo. The KPK traced financial transactions that revealed links to luxury items and financial flows involving Rafael's wife and son, ultimately charging him with accepting bribes and gratuity. In the past, the KPK had the courage to investigate a Bank Indonesia graft case involving then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s close family.
The KPK chairman at that time eventually lost his job and was convicted of a murder. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) said the KPK is in a difficult position as evidenced by conflicting statements of its leaders and reluctance to summon Kaesang. The new KPK Law, which has made the KPK answerable to the President, has limitations in dealing with a case involving the President’s family.
In fact, it was during the Jokowi administration that the House passed amendments to the KPK Law that was designed to defang the once most feared antigraft body. A source within the KPK admits there is a disagreement among the commissioners regarding the Kaesang case. While acting KPK chairman Nawawi Pomolango wanted the KPK to investigate the alleged gratuities, commissioner Nurul Ghufron said the opposite.
However, the source said the internal conflict could not be separated from the ongoing selection of KPK leaders for the 2024-2029 term, in which some KPK officials, including two current commissioners are joining the race. Nurul eventually missed the cut when the selection committee announced the remaining 20 candidates, which includes fellow commissioner Johanis Tanak. The source said the two commissioners were attempting to attract attention and gain support from the political establishment.
"They are trying to secure their positions through their stance in this private jet case," the source said..
