Former Customs Director Admits Sending 'Be Careful' WhatsApp Message Before KPK Sting Operation
Rizal, the defendant in a bribery case involving the Directorate General of Customs and Excise under the Ministry of Finance, admitted to sending a ‘be careful, mate’ WhatsApp message to Orlando Hamonangan (Ocoy), the Head of Customs Intelligence Section I, before the Corruption Eradification Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation. Rizal claimed the message was intended as a warning.
This testimony was provided by Rizal, the former Director of Enforcement and Investigation at Customs, during a trial held at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday (2/10/2026). Rizal initially confirmed the content of the ‘Be careful, mate’ chat when questioned by his legal counsel.
“Regarding what was shown yesterday by the Public Prosecutor regarding a WhatsApp chat between you and Mr Orlando saying ‘be careful’, is that correct? That you were being monitored, for instance? Is it true, Sir, that you once sent such a WhatsApp message?” asked the legal counsel.
“Yes, it is true. And I did not only send it to Orlando, but I also sent it to the Sub-Director. I sent it to others using different wording, and I also sent it to the monitoring WhatsApp group using different language,” Rizal replied.
The legal counsel then asked Rizal the reason for sending the chat. Rizal argued that the message was intended to remind his subordinates about integrity.
“Could you explain, Sir, why you sent such a message? Was there any sense of worry or suspicion at that time?” asked the legal counsel.
“It was not actually to frighten anyone, but to emphasise to subordinates that they must never play around with integrity,” Rizal answered.
Previously, KPK prosecutors presented WhatsApp conversations between two defendants in the bribery case involving the importation of goods at the Ministry of Finance’s Customs Directorate. The chats contained warnings to be cautious.
The WhatsApp messages were part of a conversation between Rizal, while serving as the Director of Enforcement and Investigation, and Orlando Hamonangan, the Head of Customs Intelligence Section I. The chats were presented during the trial at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Monday (14/9).
Orlando was called as a witness for the defendants Rizal and Sisprian Subiaksono, the Sub-Director of Intelligence. The prosecutor displayed WhatsApp chats on Rizal’s phone with Orlando regarding a voice call and a missed call on 22 January 2026.
“It was related to certain information, Sir; I told him to be careful,” said Orlando.
“Is this related to being ‘careful’? We will connect the witness’s communication with Mr Sisprian. Careful about what? Being monitored?” asked KPK prosecutor M Takdir Suhan.
“Yes, Sir,” replied Orlando.
“Being monitored by whom? The KPK?” asked the prosecutor.
“Yes, Sir,” answered Orlando.
For context, three officials from the Ministry of Finance’s Customs and Excise department are accused of receiving bribes and gratifications totalling Rp 78.8 billion. Prosecutors stated that the bribes and gratifications were received in both Rupiah and foreign currencies.
The indictment hearing was held at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday (3/7). The three Customs officials are Rizal, as Director of Enforcement and Investigation; Sisprian Subiaksono, as Sub-Director of Intelligence; and Orlando Hamonangan, as Head of Customs Intelligence Section I.