KPK Prosecutor Puzzled by Customs Official Who Claimed Discomfort Yet Accepted Bribes Four Times
A prosecutor from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) expressed astonishment at the explanation given by the Head of the Customs Intelligence Section P2 at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Budiman Bayu Prasojo (BBP), when he appeared as a witness in a bribery and gratification trial. Bayu admitted he felt uncomfortable about the envelopes, yet accepted envelopes containing money from a cargo company on four occasions.
“There were four times, as far as the witness recalls?” asked KPK prosecutor M Takdir during the hearing at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (28/7/2027).
“As far as I recall, four times, because the fifth I refused in early February on a Monday or whatever day it was, as far as I remember, I refused it,” Bayu answered.
The prosecutor asked why he only refused on the fifth occasion. Bayu argued that he had felt uncomfortable from the beginning.
“This relates to the one he refused, yes. As I understand it, four times he accepted, one refused — that carries great responsibility, sir. Now, why?” asked prosecutor Takdir.
“From the start, actually, I was already beginning to feel uncomfortable,” Bayu replied.
“Now, in the context of comfort — this is money, mind you. If he was already uncomfortable, then the first time — there is that expression, refuse. So, once, refuse. Why four times yes, and only one refused? Even the courtroom visitors would apply the same logic. Why?” the prosecutor asked.
“Because if it were me, I could put it like this: if I truly felt comfortable, I would certainly have taken it myself. Kept it myself, used it myself,” Bayu answered.
The prosecutor asked what Bayu meant by feeling uncomfortable. Bayu argued that he did not want the payments.
“At the time I didn’t know, it was just a feeling. I felt it was already time not to accept it. It was time to — meaning I wanted, I wanted to start to change,” Bayu explained.
“I told Orlando, ‘Come on, I shouldn’t take this anymore.’ That was at the time, the last time,” he added.
For context, Budiman Bayu has himself been named a defendant in the bribery and gratification case at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. On this occasion he was presented as a witness for three of his colleagues who are being tried in separate case files.
Bayu’s three colleagues are:
Rizal, as Director of Enforcement and Investigation
Sisprian Subiaksono, as Head of the Intelligence Sub-Directorate at the Enforcement and Investigation Directorate
Orlando Hamonangan, as Head of the Customs Intelligence Section I at the Enforcement and Investigation Directorate
The prosecutors allege that the three Customs officials accepted bribes and gratuities totalling Rp 78.8 billion. The money was given by PT Blueray Cargo to smooth the processing of imports.
Besides the Customs officials, three senior figures from Blueray have also stood trial and been found guilty by the panel of judges. Their full sentences are:
Blueray Cargo chief John Field: 2 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rp 300 million, subsidised by 100 days’ imprisonment.
Blueray Cargo Operations Manager Deddy Kurniawan Sukolo: 1.5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rp 200 million, subsidised by 80 days’ imprisonment.
Blueray Cargo document team leader Andri: 1.5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rp 200 million, subsidised by 80 days’ imprisonment.