Faizal Assegaf Reports KPK Spokesperson for Defamation

Faizal Assegaf has reported the spokesperson of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Budi Prasetyo, to Polda Metro Jaya over alleged defamation on Tuesday (14/4). The report submitted by Faizal was accepted by the police and registered under number LP/B/2592/IV/2026/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA. “I come as a citizen to fight for my rights as a citizen against the KPK spokesperson for spreading defamatory news, public lies, and sociological issues in the handling of customs matters,” Faizal said at Polda Metro Jaya on Tuesday. The well-known political critic explained that his report concerns Budi’s statements regarding his examination as Director of PT Sinkos Multimedia Mandiri by KPK investigators in the import case at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance. KPK investigators are known to have examined Faizal as a witness to delve into allegations of receiving goods and facilities from suspect Rizal (RZ), Director of Enforcement and Investigation at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (P2 DJBC) from 2024 to January 2026. He said he was questioned on five matters, two of which related to personal assistance from an individual named Rizal to several activists in the form of electronic devices such as computers, WiFi video, and body encoders. However, according to Faizal, after the examination, Budi twisted his statements as if he were involved in a corruption case. “The KPK spokesperson twisted the reporting as if I, Mr Faizal Assegaf, and my colleagues were involved in corruption crimes. There are no details from the document contents, no explanation of the actual events. This is an action by the spokesperson that contradicts regulations and the law enforcement process,” he stated. Faizal said he had issued a summons to Budi but received no response. Therefore, Faizal decided to pursue legal channels. “We are entering the legal route, the legal aspect. We ask that citizens’ rights also receive protection against defamation, slander, and unpleasant actions. The report is being processed, and I and my colleagues are providing ample time to present all evidence,” he said. In addition to the police report, Faizal also plans to report Budi to the KPK Supervisory Board (Dewas). “Then we will report to Dewas, to hold a case review on whether Brother Budi’s statements aim to drag in unrelated matters to the corruption handling issue? For what purpose? For issue diversion?” he said. According to detik.com, the KPK examined three witnesses in the import case at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday (7/4). One of them was Faizal Assegaf, Director of PT Sinkos Multimedia Mandiri. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said Faizal was examined along with two other witnesses named Muhammad Mahzun and Rahmat, who are customs officers. Budi stated that the examination of Faizal was to delve into allegations of receiving goods and facilities from the suspect in this case, Rizal (RZ), Director of Enforcement and Investigation at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (P2 DJBC) from 2024 to January 2026. “Regarding the witness examination, the investigators delved into allegations of the witness receiving goods or facilities from one of the suspects in the customs case, namely suspect Brother RZ,” Budi revealed to reporters at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Tuesday. Budi mentioned that investigators delved into the intent, purpose, and background of the provision. In addition, investigators delved into other matters. However, Budi did not provide further details on the other matters examined. “One of the things delved into by investigators relates to that, the receipt of facilities or goods by Brother FA allegedly obtained from Brother RZ, who is one of the suspects in the customs case,” Budi clarified.