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JAKARTA : Indonesia's anti-monopoly commission has extended its investigations into Singapore's Temasek Holdings by another 30 days.
The extension begins from August 16.
The head of the investigation team told Channel NewsAsia it is still gathering necessary documents.
Temasek Holdings is accused of having a monopoly on Indonesia's mobile telecommunication market through its subsidiaries that have shares in two of the country's biggest telecom firms.
The commission, known as KPPU, has extended the investigation period by one more month - the maximum extension allowed under Indonesian law.
"Within the next 30 days starting from August 16, KPPU has to conclude whether Temasek Group is guilty or not," said M. Nawir Messi, head investigator of the Indonesian Commission for the Supervision of Business Competition.
Nawir said the commission is likely to call up Temasek Holdings for a second round of questioning.
He said investigations have been hampered by gaps in critical information and documents.
"Standard documents, for instance annual reports, financial reports or articles concerning establishment of companies, we haven't received these yet, even after asking the parties to submit them," said Nawir.
Besides corporate documents, there are only two independent studies on Indonesia's telecommunication sector to help the commission in its investigations.
One study pointed the finger at Temasek Holdings for monopoly practices, while the other showed that Temasek Holdings is in no position to monopolise Indonesia's lucrative mobile phone market.
Within the next 30 days, the investigation team must submit its findings to an independent committee set up by the KPPU.
The committee has the authority to reject the findings, drop the charges or continue to prosecute Temasek Holdings.
Besides Temasek Holdings, the anti-monopoly commission is also investigating 16 other companies for potential unfair business practices.
In the past, it had imposed stiff fines on local and foreign companies for such infringements.
A Temasek Holdings spokesperson said the company complied with the KPPU's request to attend its hearing, adding that Temasek will continue to be cooperative. - CNA /ls
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