Posi: Beyond any expectations...

Josi: Indonesia's golden age, we won't have to wait until 2045

The recent raid by the National Police's corruption eradication unit on the private residence of Assistant Attorney for Special Crimes, Febrie Adriansyah, has attracted widespread attention – not least because it led to the discovery of US$26.3 million in cash and 74 kilograms of gold bars.

The spectacular televised raid was part of a series of police operations in Jakarta in connection with several cases allegedly implicating Adriansyah, who stepped down shortly after the raid after being charged with corruption and money laundering.

The cases revolve around investigations by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) into separate high-profile corruption cases involving several state-owned enterprises, including the state electricity company PLN, steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel and insurers PT Asabri and PT Jiwasraya.

The discovery of vast hidden wealth in gold in a luxury house belonging to Adriansyah in an affluent South Jakarta residential area has shocked and disappointed many – given that he was the prosecutor leading investigations into "mega" corruption cases in recent years.

And not surprisingly, social media users were quick to respond with satirical memes highlighting the contrast between the government's much touted Golden Indonesia 2045 – the national policy goal of achieving developed-country status by the centenary of Indonesian independence – and the endemic corruption that plagues the very law enforcement institutions tasked with eradicating graft.

Meanwhile any hope that the case may lead to a thoroughgoing investigation and high-level convictions were dashed after police quietly handed Adriana's case over to AGO prosecutors, raising concerns over a conflict of interest and questions as to whether the AGO will be able to investigate and prosecute its own top prosecutor.