KPK Questions Madura Cigarette Boss Haji Her, Who Denies Knowing Excise Corruption Suspects
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined cigarette entrepreneur Khairul Umam, alias Haji Her, as a witness in the alleged corruption case concerning excise duty management within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance, on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
After the examination at the KPK, Haji Her stated that he was questioned about his connections with the suspects in the alleged corruption case at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance.
“Yes, they just confirmed and asked if I knew those suspects, and I answered that I don’t know them,” said Haji Her to journalists after being examined at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta, on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
Haji Her claimed he had answered all the questions posed by the KPK straightforwardly. “Yes, I answered everything as it is. Madurese people are straightforward. Nothing complicated,” he said.
The case began with a sting operation (OTT) related to alleged corruption within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance, on 4 February 2026. From the OTT, the KPK secured 17 individuals, six of whom were designated as suspects.
They are Rizal (RZL), Director of Enforcement and Investigation for Customs and Excise from 2024 to January 2026, Head of Subdirectorate for Enforcement and Investigation Intelligence Sisprian Subiaksono (SIS), and Head of Customs Intelligence Section Orlando Hamonangan (ORL).
Additionally, the owner of Blueray Cargo, John Field (JF), Chairman of the Import Documentation Team for Blueray Cargo, Andri (AND), and Operational Manager of Blueray Cargo, Dedy Kurniawan (DK).
On 26 February 2026, the KPK announced Budiman Bayu Prasojo (BBP), Head of Excise Intelligence Section, Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation for Customs and Excise, as a new suspect in the case.
The KPK announced on 27 February 2026 that it was deepening the investigation into alleged corruption in excise duty management. This deepening was conducted particularly after the seizure of Rp5.19 billion in five suitcases from a safe house in Ciputat, South Tangerang, Banten, which is suspected to originate from customs and excise.