Social Media and Corruption, Revealing the Hidden

Social media can help uncover corruption cases. The "flexing" lifestyle can lead to court. Like what?

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

The Rolls-Royce and Mini Cooper S Countryman F 60 owned by the suspect of PT Timah corruption case, Harvey Moeis, were confiscated by investigators and placed in the Attorney General's Office in Jakarta on Tuesday (2/4/2024). These luxurious vehicles are believed to be only a small portion of the assets collected from illegal mining activities within the mining license area (IUP) of PT Timah Tbk between 2015-2022. Apart from the two luxury cars, investigators also seized electronic evidence, a collection of documents related to the case, as well as several other items from the husband of actress Sandra Dewi's house.

Social media has been proven to help uncover corruption cases, both directly and indirectly. Thanks to the help of netizens, the perpetrators of corruption were caught and hidden assets appeared to be uncovered. Actually, how big a role does social media play in exposing corruption?

Sandra Dewi's Instagram account, @sandradewi88, has become active again after disappearing previously. However, the account with 24.3 million followers now has no posts, no photos and does not follow any accounts. Previously, the account had at least 7,314 posts and followed 659 accounts.

The same thing is happening to the Youtube account named Sandra Dewi Official. The account, which was created in 2015, now appears to be empty and abandoned.

As a suspect of alleged corruption and money laundering, two luxury cars belonging to Harvey were seized by investigators, namely a Mini Cooper S Countryman F 60 and a black-colored Rolls-Royce. Apparently, the Rolls-Royce car had previously appeared on Sandra Dewi's Instagram.

The Instagram account of Sandra Dewi, @sandradewi88, is active again after previously disappearing. However, the account with 24.3 million followers now has no posts, no photos and doesn't follow any accounts. Previously, the account had at least 7,314 posts and followed 659 accounts.

NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR

Screenshot of a photo of Sandra Dewi's Rolls-Royce car.

Recently, investigators seized three other luxury cars belonging to Harvey, namely a silver Mercedes Benz SLS AMG and two Ferraris, the 458 Speciale and the 360 Challenge Stradale. One of the cars, a Ferrari 458 Speciale, was previously uploaded on social media accounts of Sandra and Harvey's eldest son.

In that post, the assets that were previously shown in the celebrity's social media raised questions about the existence of other assets that had also been shown to the public, such as a private jet. Similarly, when Sandra showed herself in a luxurious house located in Australia in a video, the public connected it with the case. Is it true that the assets are related to the criminal act that occurred?

Helena was also interviewed about her luxury home in the Pantai Indah Kapuk area, and even to this day, the video can still be found on social media. In the video, Helena displays her luxurious belongings, ranging from cars, shoes, dining equipment, to her extravagant bathroom.

Still from the tin case, suspect Helena Lim's Instagram account, namely @helenalim899, also disappeared. The woman who is nicknamed "crazy rich from PIK" often shares her personal life via Instagram. Helena was also interviewed regarding her luxury house in the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) area, the video of which can still be found on social media. In the video, Helena shows off her luxury items, from cars, shoes, eating utensils, to her luxurious bathroom.

In the case of lead, Helena was charged with allegations of corruption and money laundering. When her house was searched, investigators seized IDR 10 billion and 2 million Singapore dollars.

Also read: Attorney General Confiscates Harvey Moeis' Luxury Cars

PUSPENKUM KEJAKSAAN AGUNG

Seizure of assets in the form of money suspected to be the result of corruption in the tin commodity in the mining business license (IUP) area of PT Timah Tbk from 2015 to 2022.

The disappearance of Sandra's Instagram account, which was allegedly related to Harvey's assets, has been denied by her legal representative, Harris Arthur Hedar. According to Harris, the issue of the closure of the Instagram account, which was rumored to erase the traces of various assets derived from criminal activities, is entirely untrue.

"So, closing the IG (Instagram) was because his child was being bullied by netizens, that's why he decided to close the IG," said Harris, Thursday (2/ 5/2024).

Still being investigated

Asked about the assets of the suspects in the tin case, the Director of Investigation of the Special Crime Prosecutor's Office of the Attorney General's Office, Kuntadi, said that until now investigators are still tracing various assets suspected to be related to corruption or the proceeds of alleged money laundering. They are also paying attention to various issues circulating in the public, including allegations of Harvey's house outside the country or allegations of owning a private jet.

As long as there is a suspicion of connection, we will definitely confiscate it.

Regarding the issue of property separation agreement between Harvey and Sandra, Kuntadi said that it is not the focus of the investigators. According to Kuntadi, as long as there are indications of a connection between assets and corruption, then the assets owned by anyone will still be seized.

"As long as there is a suspected connection, we will definitely confiscate it," said Kuntadi.

TANGKAPAN LAYAR

Screenshot of artist Sandra Dewi's Instagram account

Appears on social media

In some cases, social media platforms such as Instagram have helped to uncover corruption cases. If we remember, starting from the case of David Ozora's assault by Mario Dandy Satrio, the case of gratuity of officials in the Directorate General of Taxation at the Ministry of Finance, Rafael Alun Trisambodo, was revealed.

At that time, netizens questioned Mario's Tiktok account along with his luxury vehicle. Then, information surfaced on social media regarding Mario's parents' jobs and their fantastic wealth. This raised questions about the origin of their wealth. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) clarified the matter and eventually declared Rafael a suspect in the corruption of receiving gratuities.

Social media platforms, such as Instagram, have aided the exposure of corruption cases. If we recall, it all started from the case of David Ozora's assault by Mario Dandy Satrio, which led to the revelation of a gratification case involving Rafael Alun Trisambodo, an official of the Directorate General of Taxation at the Ministry of Finance.

Related to social media, the head of the Makassar Customs and Excise, Andhi Pramono, was highlighted due to the emergence of a video showing a luxurious house in East Jakarta that was claimed to be his. A review of the State Officials' Wealth Report (LHKPN) revealed that Andhi apparently owns dozens of land and buildings, as well as dozens of vehicles.

It was also revealed on social media that Andhi's wife and child often went on luxury vacations and used expensive items. Likewise, the Corruption Eradication Commission has designated Andhi as a suspect in a case of gratuity acceptance and money laundering.

KOMPAS

Rafael Alun, a former tax official, complied with an invitation to clarify assets at the KPK building.

Still in 2023, the former Head of the Yogyakarta Customs and Excise Supervision and Services Office, Eko Darmanto, was named a suspect in the case of receiving gratuities. The case started with an account The @eko_darmanto_bc account has long disappeared.

Not long after, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) summoned Eko. Apparently, the KPK had been targeting Eko, who often flaunted his luxury through social media. In addition to gratification, Eko was also declared a money laundering suspect.

Entrance

According to criminologist Josias Simon, corruption cases are among the difficult ones to uncover because they are complex. In addition, evidence in corruption cases is usually not easy to find as it has been transformed into different forms or items. On the other hand, law enforcement officers work based on rules that have limitations.

Corruption cases are difficult to uncover due to their complexity. In addition, evidence in corruption cases is usually not easy to find, as it has been altered into a different form or item. On the other hand, law enforcement officials work based on rules that have limitations.

The 2020 Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering research quoted in the 2021 Financial Transaction Reporting and Analysis Center Typology Research (PPATK) report noted that money laundering modes are increasingly varied with a variety of transaction instruments. If previous research stated that money obtained from corruption was bought for assets in the form of land and buildings, now the money is used to buy luxury goods, such as paintings and antiques.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Head of Makassar Customs and Excise Andhi Pramono clarified his Statement of Assets and Liabilities Report (LHKPN) at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) office in Jakarta on Tuesday (14/3/2023). Andhi Pramono was summoned by the KPK to clarify his LHKPN regarding the posting of his luxurious lifestyle as a state official. The head of Makassar Customs and Excise is recorded to have assets worth IDR 13.7 billion. This clarification summons aims to ensure the sources of income or other receipts in the performance of his duties as a state organizer. The clarification traces the source of assets to the evidence presented, such as ownership documents, origins of acquisition, including financial transaction data. Furthermore, the KPK will analyze the explanations provided by the organizer and the evidence obtained to determine the follow-up action of the clarification results.

Similarly, previously assets were recorded in other people's names, now money from criminal activities is mixed with other legal investments. Money from criminal activities is also circulated through shell companies or transferred to foreign banks.

That can be a clue, not evidence. Clues can be scattered and not always clearly identifying the giver, but they can provide a starting point (for law enforcement) to conduct further investigation.

When faced with sometimes complicated cases, according to Josias, social media has the opportunity to become a door for breaking through deadlocks. Due to its easy accessibility, anyone can provide information that can be followed up by law enforcement.

"That can be a clue, not evidence. Clues can be scattered and not always clear who they come from, but they can provide a starting point (for law enforcement) to conduct further investigations," said Josias.

The behavior of showing a luxurious lifestyle on social media (flexing) can also result in criminal charges, as has happened in several of these cases. Even though the upload was made long before a case occurred, it can still be an entry point for law enforcement to investigate further.

On the other hand, said Josias, the behavior of showing a luxurious lifestyle on social media (flexing) could also result in criminal charges, as happened in several of these cases. Even though the upload was made long before a case occurred, it can still be an entry point for law enforcement to investigate further.

It has to go viral first

According to Gadjah Mada University Anti-Corruption Center researcher, Zaenur Rohman, several examples of corruption cases were revealed because of the role of netizens, not starting from law enforcement investigations. For example, in the case involving Ministry of Finance officials, netizens acted as "hunters" for officials who displayed luxury lifestyles on their social media, only then did law enforcement follow up.

Several cases of corruption have been revealed due to the role of netizens, not starting from law enforcement investigations. For example, in the case involving a Ministry of Finance official, netizens acted as 'hunters' of officials who displayed luxurious lifestyles on their social media, only then did law enforcement follow up.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Three luxury cars belonging to Harvey Moeis, seized by investigators from the Attorney General's Office in a case of alleged corruption related to illegal mining in the IUP area of PT Timah Tbk for the years 2015-2022, were parked in the complex of the Attorney General's Office in Jakarta on Friday (26/4/2024). The luxury cars consist of two Ferraris and one Mercedes Benz. Thus, a total of seven luxury cars belonging to the husband of actress Sandra Dewi have been seized by the Prosecutors.

Also read: After Harvey Moeis' luxury car, the AGO confiscates a number of smelters

On the other hand, according to Zaenur, the case indicates the weakness of early detection or supervision by relevant authorities, including law enforcement. As a result, law enforcement is based on viral social media instead of internal surveillance or investigation.

Transparency International Indonesia researcher, Alvin Nicola, believes that those various cases demonstrate society's desire to participate in government reform. However, on the other hand, it will be counterproductive in the long run due to the lack of formal mediums, be it legal frameworks or effective law enforcement.

"If the legal framework remains absent while law enforcement officers are less effective, it will just become an online mob mentality. "And, that is actually counterproductive to the anti-corruption spirit because it could become defamation or doxxing," said Alvin.

It feels like the government and legal apparatus cannot just keep quiet. What do you think?