Faizal Assegaf Outburst in Customs Trial: Judge Responds, 'What Do You Want? To Burn My House Down?'

Faizal Assegaf, an advisor at the Djamalundin Koedoeboen & Partners Law Firm, lost his temper while testifying in a case involving alleged bribery and gratification related to imports at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance. The presiding judge subsequently questioned the intent behind Faizal’s outburst.

The trial was held at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday (18/09/2026). Faizal initially stated that he was not a Director of PT Sincos Multimedia Mandiri and claimed that the provision of podcast equipment and other electronic goods by Rizal, one of the defendants in the case, was a social contribution funded by personal money.

He stated that the assistance with the podcast equipment was requested after he and his colleagues met Rizal in November 2025. He admitted to being shocked when the equipment arrived two months later.

“I told Mr Rizal, ‘Brother, please help my friends with a set of electronic equipment, but it must be from your personal funds, it must be sincere, and not from any other source.’ By Allah, by the Messenger, I take responsibility for that. Because my colleagues’ activities might be within the community, for Mr Otto and others. I did not expect the items to arrive; two months later, they were suddenly sent by Mr Rizal. I was shocked and moved. How could it be, and yet the items were sent,” he continued.

The judge then permitted Faizal, acting as a witness, to leave the courtroom after the questioning between the prosecutors, judges, defence counsel, and defendants was completed. It was at that moment that Faissal became enraged.

“That is enough. Thank you, Witness, you may leave now,” said the presiding judge, Brelly Yuniar Dien Wardi Haskori.

“I have one last question. The prosecutors have been proven to rob social rights! What is the status of the goods? That is not corruption money. It is a personal gift! If it is not returned, the houses of the Judges and Prosecutors will be visited by the people! They will ask where you bought all of this! This is a social relationship! Please, clear this up! What happened in Nepal? The attack on Sri Mulyani in 2025! The people are angry! The attack on Sahroni,” Faizal shouted inside the courtroom.

The judge immediately responded to Faizal’s words, questioning what kind of threat he was making.

“Witness! What do you want? What threat are you making? My house? I don’t even have a house yet,” the judge replied.

“Please, please, please, clarify this! Is it a social relationship or corruption?” Faizal demanded.

“That is enough, please. You may leave, you may leave. What do you want? To burn my house down? I don’t have a house,” the judge said.

“Hey, I did not say burn! I am asking the judge to uphold the law,” Faizal replied.

“Naturally, we uphold the law and justice in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. Please proceed,” the judge stated.

“You are robbing the rights of the people! You are robbing the rights of the people,” Faizal answered.

“That is all, the session is now in recess,” the judge replied.

The judge suspended the trial. However, Faizal continued to speak.

“You are robbing the status of the goods! You are thieves!” Faizal shouted.

“We will continue later, once the situation is conducive,” the judge replied.

“Merdeka! We will come to the court again to demand our rights! You rogue prosecutors, you think you are angels! Many errors have been found within the KPK internal! Are you not ashamed? You are creating news that terrorises small employees!” Faizal shouted.

Previously, three officials from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance were indicted for receiving bribes and gratifications amounting to Rp 78.8 billion. Prosecutors stated that the bribes and gratifications were received in both Rupiah and foreign currencies.

Faizal himself had previously been interrogated as a witness during the investigation process. He has also reported KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to the police and the KPK Supervisory Board.