Bribery Case on Imports: KPK Examines 3 Major Cigarette Entrepreneurs

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continues to probe allegations of bribery related to the importation of goods at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC). On Tuesday (31/3), investigators have scheduled examinations of three major cigarette entrepreneurs.

KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that the examinations are taking place at the anti-corruption agency’s headquarters. “The examinations are being conducted at the KPK’s Red and White Building,” Budi stated in a written release.

The three cigarette entrepreneurs summoned by investigators are Liem Eng Hwie (LEW), Rokhmawan (RKN), and Benny Tan (BT). In addition to the cigarette business figures, investigators have also called two businesspeople, namely Sri Pangestu alias Tuti (SR) and Eka Wahyu Widyastuti (EWW), to provide their statements.

This step is part of the development of the import bribery case within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. Previously, the KPK had carried out forced measures by arresting DJBC employee Budiman Bayu Prasojo (BPP).

Budiman was immediately taken to the KPK’s Red and White Building right after his arrest. Prior to the arrest, Budiman’s status had already been designated as a suspect by investigators.

To date, the KPK has named six individuals as suspects in this case vortex, involving top officials at Customs and Excise up to private parties:

The suspects are strongly suspected of being involved in bribery practices to smooth the import process of goods entering through the Customs and Excise channel. The investigation is still ongoing to trace the flow of funds and potential involvement of other parties.

The discovery of two safe houses with seized assets worth tens of billions of rupiah also serves as strong evidence that such practices could not involve only one entity.