The Relations Between Shopee, Garena, and Kaesang Pangarep: Private Jet and Alleged Gratification

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian public recently spotlighted the link between the subsidiaries of SEA Limited, Shopee, and Garena, to President Jokowi's youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, and his wife, Erina Gudono. This occurred after Indonesians suspected that the Gulfstream private jet that Kaesang and Erina boarded to the United States belonged to Garena Online (Private) Limited.

This prompted the Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Community (MAKI), Boyamin Saiman, to report Kaesang to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for alleged gratification. Bonyamin submitted the complaint through KPK’s public complaint channel on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

In his complaint, Boyamin attached a cooperation agreement or MoU between the Solo City Government and PT Shopee Internasional Indonesia, signed by Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the then Solo Mayor. The agreement contained the establishment of an office and gaming center on Solo’s government land. 

Boyamin highlighted the importance of this cooperation agreement given Gibran's relation as Kaesang's older brother. He suggested that the provision of the private jet might be connected to the cooperation Gibran had undertaken on April 23, 2021.

“Whether this is a facility from the company, let the KPK determine. My intention is solely to help clarify this case and investigate whether there was any gratification,” he added.

So, what exactly is the relationship between Shopee, Garena, and Kaesang Pangarep in the alleged private jet gratification? Here’s a brief explanation.

The relations between Shopee, Garena, and Kaesang Pangarep

The business expansion of SEA Group in Indonesia has been massive these past 5 years. In fact, Shopee and Garena, the publisher of the widely popular game Free Fire, opened a Hub at Solo Technopark in December 2021. The two Hubs are Shopee Solo Creative & Innovation, and Garena Gaming & Community.

Shopee also contributed to Solo Technopark’s revitalization as a result of the collaboration between the Solo City Government and PT Shopee International Indonesia. At that time, Solo was led by Kaesang Pangarep’s older brother, Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

Shopee provided several new facilities in Solo Technopark, including a common area, fountain boulevard, basketball court, and futsal field. Shopee also presented two new supporting facilities for Solo residents to innovate through technology, Sembrani Building and the Gumarang Building.

One of Tempo's sources at Shopee Indonesia, who wished to remain anonymous, admitted that SEA Group has been quite close to the Solo family for the past three years. Especially now since Shopee has two offices in Solo, namely at Solo Paragon Mall and Solo Technopark. Kaesang’s private jet, the source said, is also a topic of conversation between Shopee’s employees.

“It’s possible that the private jet belongs to a Shopee high-ranking official," said the source.

Meanwhile, Shopee employees could not confirm whether the Kaesang’s private jet was affiliated with the SEA Group. "Since 2021, there are no more operational vehicles for the board of directors," the source said.

Taking it even further, Garena’s Free Fire has sponsored Solo’s football club Persis since 2021. Persis Solo is owned by Kaesang Pangarep together with Solo businessman Kevin Nugroho and Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir.

It was previously reported that Kaesang bought 40 percent of Persis Solo shares in 2021. Kaesang also became the owner and CEO of Persis Solo in 2023. 

The expansion of Shopee and Garena's businesses to Solo was what brought SEA Group closer to the Solo family, especially former Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Persis Solo CEO Kaesang Pangarep.

RADEN PUTRI ALPADILLAH GINANJAR | NANDITO PUTRA | SEPTIA RYANTHIE

Editor’s Choice: Profile of Gang Ye, Garena and Shopee Boss, Who Allegedly Provides Private Jet to Kaesang-Erina 

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