The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has stated\nthat an alleged bribery case involving importation of goods by officials\nat the Directorate General of Customs and Excise has contributed to the\nwidespread circulation of illegal cigarettes in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs this also related to the illegal cigarettes that are currently\nrampant? One of the factors. Yes, that\u2019s correct,\u201d said Asep Guntur\nRahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Enforcement at the KPK, at KPK\nheadquarters in South Jakarta on Friday (27 February).<\/p>\n
Asep explained that illegal cigarettes flourish due to excise fraud.\nThis practice, according to Asep, has caused state losses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scheme works like this. Some have counterfeit excise stamps or\nfalsified ones. There\u2019s also a method where they use excise marks that\nshouldn\u2019t be used,\u201d Asep explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the cheaper excise is purchased in large quantities by these\nunscrupulous parties. Then it\u2019s used for goods that actually require\nhigher excise duties. This results in a shortfall in state revenue\nbecause the excise doesn\u2019t match,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Asep also stated that the KPK will summon cigarette\nproducers involved in the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill cigarette producers be called in? Of course. Yes. Based on\nstatements from these individuals. From anyone involved. Which\ncompanies, whoever they are,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In this case, the KPK has named seven suspects. They are the former\nDirector of Investigation & Prosecution at the Directorate General\nof Customs and Excise for the period 2024\u2013January 2026, Rizal; Head of\nIntelligence Sub-directorate for Prosecution and Investigation at the\nDirectorate General of Customs and Excise (Kasubdit Intel P2 DJBC),\nSisprian Subiaksono.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the Head of Intelligence Section at the Directorate\nGeneral of Customs and Excise (Kasi Intel DJBC), Orlando; Head of the\nImport Documentation Team at PT BR, Andri; owner of PT Blueray, John\nField; and Operations Manager at PT BR, Dedy Kurniawan.<\/p>\n
Head of the Excise Intelligence Section in the Prosecution and\nInvestigation Directorate, Budiman Bayu Prasojo, was only arrested and\nnamed as a suspect on Thursday (26 February).<\/p>\n
The suspects have been remanded in the KPK State Detention Centre\n(Rutan).<\/p>\n
For their alleged actions, Rizal, Sisprian, and Orlando face charges\nunder Article 12 paragraphs (a) and (b) of the Anti-Corruption Law (UU\nTipikor) as well as Articles 605 paragraph 2 and 606 paragraph 2 in\nconjunction with Articles 20 and 21 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).<\/p>\n
They also face charges under Article 12B of the Anti-Corruption Law\nin conjunction with Articles 20 and 21 of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile,\nJohn Field, Andry, and Dedy Kurniawan, as bribe givers, face charges\nunder Articles 605 paragraphs 1(a) and (b) and 606 paragraph 1 of the\nCriminal Code.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/corruption-commission-attributes-surge-in-illegal-cigarettes-to-customs-officials-bribery-case-1772218325", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }