KPK Chief on Customs DG Name Emerging in Trial: Will Be Scrutinised
The Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Setyo Budiyanto, has addressed the emergence of the name of the Director General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance, Djaka Budi Utama, during a trial concerning alleged bribery related to goods importation within the Customs and Excise environment.
Setyo stated that KPK investigators will scrutinise the details presented during the court proceedings. He explained that following a trial, prosecutors typically prepare development reports based on the results of the prosecution process.
“However, with the presence of such information, it will certainly be examined by the investigators and the enforcement deputy; it will not be simply overlooked,” Setyo told reporters on Wednesday (17/7).
Regarding the possibility of Djaka being summoned for questioning, Setyo noted that such a decision rests with the investigators, and he does not wish to preempt their actions. He added that there must be a detailed study and information, as there are usually specific discussions between prosecutors and investigators at the deputy level. Only once the information is complete and firm will further steps be planned.
The Director General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budi Utama, is alleged to have received approximately Rp21 billion in a bribery case involving several officials within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. This allegation was brought forward during the trial by the defendant, John Field, a leader at Blueray Cargo (Group).
It is alleged that Djaka received the total sum of Rp21 billion in seven separate instalments. The details of the suspected payments to Djaka were read by the KPK Public Prosecutor during the examination of John Field as a defendant at the Jakarta Central District Court’s Anti-Corruption Court on Friday (12/6).
In this case, John Field is charged with bribing several officials at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise with funds totalling Rp61 billion, alongside providing entertainment facilities and luxury goods valued at Rp1.8 billion. The alleged bribery was carried out alongside Defendant II, Dedy Kurniawan Sukolo, the Operational Manager of Custom Clearance at the Port for Blueray Cargo (Group), and Defendant III, Andri, the Import Documentation Team Leader at Blueray Cargo (Group).
The recipients of the bribes reportedly include the Director of Enforcement and Investigation, Rizal; the Head of the Intelligence Sub-directorate of Enforcement and Investigation, Sisprian Subiaksono; and the Head of Customs Intelligence Section I of the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation, Orlando Hamonangan.