KPK Arrests Budiman at Customs Headquarters Over Evidence Tampering and Flight Risk Concerns
Jakarta — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed its rationale for apprehending Budiman Bayu Prasojo, Head of the Customs Enforcement and Investigation Intelligence Section at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), at DJBC headquarters after he was designated a suspect on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, stated that investigators were concerned Budiman Bayu would destroy evidence. Additionally, the KPK feared he would attempt to flee.
“We were concerned he would also destroy other evidence. Besides, he might also flee. That’s why, based on these subjective reasons, we immediately carried out the arrest operation,” Asep said at KPK headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, 27 February 2026.
“This is a strategy we had to adopt to ensure that the case could be handled properly,” he added.
Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had apprehended Budiman Bayu Prasojo, an employee at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), after designating him as a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the importation of goods within the DJBC.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that Budiman was arrested at DJBC headquarters in Jakarta at 4:00 pm local time.
“Budiman Bayu Prasojo was arrested at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise headquarters in Jakarta. The arrest was conducted around 4:00 pm,” Budi said at KPK headquarters in Jakarta on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
Budi noted that Budiman was immediately transported to KPK headquarters for intensive examination.
According to Budi, Budiman was designated as a suspect following investigations into several suspects and other related parties concerning the discovery of Rp 5 billion in cash found in five suitcases in the Ciputat area of South Tangerang.
“Through testimony from witnesses, we determined where the money came from and its intended purpose. Consequently, the KPK designated Budiman Bayu Prasojo as a new suspect in this case,” he stated.