KPK Explains Mention of Raffi Ahmad's Name in Customs Case
The Corruption Eradlarion Commission (KPK) has confirmed that Raffi Ahmad, the Special Envoy to the President for the Development of Youth and Arts, was mentioned in an alleged bribery case related to imports within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance.
Acting Director of Investigations at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, explained that Raffi’s name surfaced because he had visited the Blueray Cargo office in the United States to entrust the shipment of several electronic items, such as an iPhone 17, to Indonesia. “It is true, there are facts that Mr RA [Raffi Ahmad] entrusted items,” Taufik stated at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Monday night.
Taufik noted that the KPK has not further developed this fact within the ongoing Customs investigation, as there is currently no evidence to suggest that the shipment was part of the illegal activities involving Blueray Cargo’s customs clearance processes. Consequently, no summons has been issued. However, Taufik emphasised that the KPK remains open to further investigation should new evidence emerge during court proceedings.
During a trial at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday, Raffi’s name appeared in the case involving defendants John Field, leader of Blueray Cargo (Group), and his associates. Prosecutors questioned a witness, Sri Pangestuti, regarding requests to ship laptops and iPhone 17s from the US to Indonesia, a request allegedly relayed by Yohanes, John Field’s personal assistant, during Raffi’s visit to the US office. While the witness confirmed the communication, she claimed she was reluctant to fulfil the request.
Yohanes’ testimony also indicated that the shipment, involving items like an iPhone 17, did not ultimately proceed to Indonesia. The defendants, John Field, Dedy Kurniawan Sukolo, and Andri, are accused of bribing several Customs and Excise officials with Rp61 billion in cash and luxury goods and entertainment facilities worth Rp1.8 billion. The alleged recipients include high-ranking officials Rizal, Sisprian Subiaksono, and Orlando Hamonangan, with specific amounts and luxury items, such as a Tag Heuer watch and a Mazda CX-5, being identified in the indictment. The bribes were allegedly intended to expedite the customs clearance process for Blueray Cargo’s imports.