
Indonesia seizes US$725 million from Wilmar Group in palm oil graft case
Indonesian authorities are probing Wilmar and two other palm oil companies, which they accuse of paying bribes to obtain export permits in 2022. Prosecutors had demanded 11.8 trillion rupiah in fines from Wilmar.
Wilmar and its subsidiaries returned 11.8 trillion rupiah to the Attorney General's Office and authorities seized the money as part of their legal case against the company, said the office's senior official Sutikno.
"Wilmar paid for the state losses they caused," he said at a press conference in which authorities were surrounded by stacks of cash amounting to 2 trillion rupiah.
Wilmar did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In April, the Attorney General's Office arrested judges who acquitted the companies of misconduct in obtaining export permits, saying the judges received 60 billion rupiah to reach a verdict in their favour.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
More opt for mid- to long-term car leasing options, citing affordability and convenience
Some car rental firms are seeing more Singapore drivers opting for mid- to long-term leasing options over buying cars. They say their customers find these options more affordable and convenient as they don't need to be tied down by a 10-year Certificate of Entitlement, which can cost over S$100,000 upfront. Drivers also do not have to deal with the car's maintenance.


Independent Singapore
7 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
'We admire Singapore deeply': Johor calls for end to rivalry, urges deeper regional partnership
SINGAPORE: Johor and Singapore must shift from a mindset of rivalry to one of partnership if they are to unlock the full potential of their shared geography and economic interdependence, said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. Speaking at the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship dinner in Singapore, Onn Hafiz called for the two neighbours to embrace each other's strengths and pursue joint strategies for regional development. 'Let's stop thinking in terms of rivalry and focus on shared strategy. Together, we can build regional supply chains, renewable energy projects, data infrastructure and food security frameworks,' he said, as quoted by the New Straits Times. Complementary strengths offer regional potential Onn Hafiz highlighted how Singapore's capital and connectivity, combined with Johor's land and labour resources, form a naturally complementary partnership. Rather than compete, the two should collaborate to build a 'corridor of prosperity' stretching from Woodlands to Iskandar Puteri and beyond. 'If we plan wisely, we can create a corridor of prosperity,' he said, urging both sides to fully realise the potential of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), a key initiative currently under development. Praise for Singapore and call for mutual respect Onn Hafiz also paid tribute to Singapore's transformation and its founding leader, calling Mr Lee Kuan Yew 'a statesman whose vision uplifted not only Singapore, but leadership standards across the region.' His remarks underscored Johor's admiration for its neighbour, even amidst the frequent public comparisons between the two. 'It's not always easy being Singapore's neighbour when your people constantly compare roads, airports and customer service! But the truth is, we admire Singapore deeply,' he said, according to the New Straits Times . A relationship beyond GDP Framing the Johor–Singapore relationship as one of Southeast Asia's most important bilateral dynamics, Onn Hafiz emphasised that genuine cooperation rests on goodwill, not merely economic figures. 'It is goodwill, not just GDP, that sustains partnerships,' he said. His remarks come at a time when both sides are looking to deepen economic integration, particularly through cross-border infrastructure projects like the RTS Link and the JS-SEZ. See also SDP's finalised slate of candidates for GE2020 An open invitation to Singaporeans The Menteri Besar extended a warm invitation to Singaporeans, encouraging them to view Johor not just as a destination for food and shopping, but as a partner in progress. 'Our friends in Singapore are always welcome in Johor, not just for better food, but for real partnership and shared progress,' he said. The event, attended by Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and other dignitaries, marked Onn Hafiz's participation as a Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow — a programme that honours regional leaders who have made significant contributions to diplomacy and development. His comments signal a diplomatic shift toward closer ties and shared growth, a message both symbolic and strategic as Johor and Singapore navigate a new phase in regional cooperation. Read also: Tourism sector welcomes heritage-focused investment zones in Johor Bahru under 13MP


Independent Singapore
8 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Student chokes teacher after refusing to pick up fallen paper
MALAYSIA: A secondary school teacher in Pahang was allegedly assaulted by a male student during a classroom altercation, according to a series of social media posts made by the teacher's brother earlier this week. The incident reportedly began when the teacher asked the student to help pick up a test paper, belonging to a female student, that had fallen near his feet. The teacher asked the boy to pick it up, but he refused. Instead, he allegedly stepped on the paper repeatedly and made a gesture as though he was about to throw water on it. This escalated into a physical confrontation during which the male student allegedly strangled the female teacher. Several other students who witnessed the scene intervened, allowing the teacher to break free. She later sought medical attention for her injuries and lodged a police report. The incident sparked concern among the teacher's family, who publicly criticised the school for what they viewed as an inadequate response. They expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of an immediate explanation or apology from the school, and questioned whether sufficient action was taken to protect the teacher's safety and professional rights. See also Amway Malaysia sees dip in 3Q17 revenue They further alleged that the school appeared more focused on managing its public image than addressing the incident transparently. In response, the school principal confirmed that an internal investigation had been launched and that the school was fully cooperating with the police. CCTV footage and other classroom-related information have been handed over to authorities. After discussions facilitated by the police and school officials, both the teacher and the student reached a settlement. In a follow-up post, the teacher's brother confirmed the resolution, stating, 'The matter has received a reasonable apology and a satisfactory settlement. Thank you for your concern.' () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });