TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – One year has passed since the Indonesian Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) began investigating the price hikes of imported garlic. Early last year, garlic skyrocketed, even reaching Rp90,000 per kilogram. After three months of investigation, the KPPU concluded the existence of a garlic cartel and the case was brought to hearing in July 2013.

Yesterday, the Commission delivered its verdict. Nineteen entrepreneurs are proven to have been involved in cartel practices. The panel of judges sentenced the guilty parties with fines amounting to Rp11 million to Rp921 million per company.

"These business entities we legally and convincingly proven to have violated Article 19C and Article 24 of Law No.5/1999 on the prohibition of monopolistic practices and unfair competition," chief judge Sukarmi said.

Two government officials, the Trade Minister and the Director General of Domestic Trade, were only proven to have violated Article 24 of Law No.5/1999. "There are letters of approvals submitted by businesses entities that were approved by the Trade Ministry despite the lack of underlying legal basis," said Sukarmi.

Meanwhile, the judges found no evidence that inflicts the Ministry of Agriculture's Quarantine Agency, an institution touted to have been involved in the cartel practices.

Many of the defendants were dissatisfied by the verdict. Yudi Handoyo, the attorney representing PT Sumber Alam Jaya Perkasa and PT Tunas Sumber Rejeki, said they are "considering for an appeal," he said.

Yudi denied the verdict that the companies he represents have committed cartel practices despite admitting that both companies hired the same party to handle their trading paperwork.

A similar sentiment was expressed by Tri Hartono, who represents CV Mekar Jaya. "It looks like we will file for an appeal," he said.

None of the government officials involved released a statement yet. "We are not able to respond just yet. We will study [the result] first while waiting for a copy of the verdict," said Anu Mulyati, PR chief of the Ministry of Trade.

PINGIT ARIA

Listed below are the companies convicted of cartel practices and the fines they have to pay.