East Java Customs Responds to Police Anti-Corruption Unit Search

Rusman Hadi, Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) for East Java I, has responded to the recent search of the Juanda Customs, Excise, and Duty Office (KPPBC) by the National Police’s Anti-Corruption Corps (Kortastipidkor) on Wednesday, 24 June.

Addressing the matter, Rusman stated that his office respects the ongoing legal process. The search is linked to an investigation into alleged corruption involving the importation of second-hand mobile phones.

“Regarding the reports concerning the search by the Criminal Investigation Agency, I respect every legal process carried out by fellow law enforcement agencies,” Rusman told the media on Tuesday (7 July).

Rusman confirmed the search took place and acknowledged that the police had seized various data and documents as part of the investigation into alleged corruption within the customs sector.

He emphasised that the relationship between Customs and the police remains positive, noting that the investigators’ presence at the Juanda office was part of their official duties at the site being inspected.

He also assured that there was no element of intimidation during the process, despite the large number of officers present which might have created such an impression in the public eye.

Regarding the specific documents seized or the individuals interrogated, Rusman stated he did not yet have the detailed specifics. He added that while no further summons have been issued to the Juanda Customs staff so far, the agency would provide legal assistance to any employees called as witnesses in accordance with applicable regulations.

Previously, the search of the Juanda Customs office was part of a wider operation that included raids on other locations in Sidoarjo and Surabaya, including the Juanda Cargo Warehouse of PT Jasa Angkasa Semesta (JAS) and the residences of two individuals, MT and AY. MT is a private importer, while AY is an official from Customs.

At MT’s residence, investigators seized several pieces of evidence, including five iPhones, a CCTV digital video recorder (DVR), bank statements, records of deposit slips, approximately Rp165 million in cash, and 14,200 Singapore Dollars. At the residence of AY, police seized 22 grams of gold jewellery, a land and building certificate with its sale deed, eight Building Use Rights Certificates (SHGB), and a vehicle ownership document (BPKB).

At the KPPBC office, police seized three containers of documents and a mirrored file of the CEISA application, while another container of documents was secured at the Juanda Cargo Warehouse. To date, investigators have interrogated approximately 30 individuals from Customs and 20 from the private sector as witnesses, though no suspects have been officially named.