Customs Chief Djaka Budi Implicated in Bribery Case, Purbaya Speaks Out

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has responded to the bribery charges that have implicated the Director General of Customs, Djaka Budi Utama.

The case, being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), accuses Blueray Cargo (Group) leader John Field of bribing several officials from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) with a total of Rp61 billion in cash, along with entertainment facilities and luxury goods worth Rp1.8 billion.

Purbaya stated that the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) will observe the ongoing legal process.

“The process has just begun. The name has only just emerged. We can’t stop it immediately. We’ll see until it’s completely clear, as clear as possible,” he explained.

Purbaya also mentioned that he has already communicated with Djaka Budi. The Customs DG told Purbaya that he will follow the legal process. He emphasised that Kemenkeu will not deactivate Djaka Budi.

“No. It’s not yet clear what this is about. It was only mentioned last night,” he said.

In the prosecutors’ indictment, Djaka Budi’s name is mentioned as being present in a series of meetings between DJBC officials and cargo entrepreneurs before the alleged arrangement of import routes occurred. The meeting with the entrepreneurs took place at the Borobudur Hotel in Central Jakarta around July 2025.

“A meeting was held between officials from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, including Djaka Budi Utama, Rizal Fadillah, Sisprian Subiaksono, and Orlando Hamonangan Sianipar, with cargo entrepreneurs,” reads the KPK prosecutors’ indictment.

Following this meeting, from July 2025 to January 2026, John Field is known to have given a total of Rp61,301,939,000 in Singapore dollars to DJBC officials.

Additionally, according to the indictment, entertainment facilities and luxury goods worth Rp1,845,000,000 were also provided to several officials.

Rizal, the former Director of Enforcement and Investigation at DJBC, is said to have received Rp2 billion in nearly every cash handover, while the Head of the Subdirectorate of Enforcement and Investigation Intelligence at DJBC, Sisprian Subiaksono, received Rp1 billion. Furthermore, the Head of the DJBC Intelligence Section, Orlando Hamonangan, received Rp450 million to Rp600 million, among other things, entertainment facilities worth Rp1.45 billion and a Tag Heuer watch worth Rp65 million.