Finance Minister Purbaya Will Not Suspend Customs Director-General Mentioned in Blueray Cargo Indictment, Offers Legal Assistance

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has assured that he will not deactivate the Director-General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), Djaka Budhi Utama, even though his name has surfaced in the indictment of the Blueray Cargo case belonging to the defendant John Field. Purbaya reasoned that he is still awaiting the ongoing legal process. “No (deactivation). Until it is clear what happens there. The process (legal) has just begun. His name has just appeared, how could we stop immediately. We will see until it is clear, as clear as possible what the case is, then we will take action,” said Purbaya when met at the Ministry of Finance office, Jakarta, Thursday (7/5/2026). The Finance Minister admitted to having communicated with Djaka and ensured that the Director-General of Customs and Excise would respect the ongoing legal process. Purbaya also stated that the Ministry of Finance would provide legal assistance to Djaka if needed during the legal process. “Oh yes, there is (legal assistance). If Mr Djaka, for example, is called, whatever. The others also have assistance. Not intervention, yes,” he said. Previously, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) of the Ministry of Finance stated that it respects the court’s legal process that drags Djaka Budhi Utama’s name into the indictment of the alleged corruption case of importing counterfeit goods. The Deputy Head of Public Relations and Outreach of Customs Budi Prasetiyo said that they still uphold the principle of presumption of innocence. “Because this case has entered the trial stage, to respect and maintain the independence of that process, we do not comment on the substance of the case,” said Budi in a written statement in Jakarta, Thursday. Meanwhile, the Corruption Eradication Commission is still awaiting developments in the investigation of the alleged corruption case in the DJBC environment after Djaka’s name appeared in the indictment. KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the investigation is still ongoing after investigators found several sums of money during a search some time ago.