KPK Reveals Reasons for Sealing Customs Director General's Office
The Corruption Eradasting Commission (KPK) has revealed the reasons behind the sealing, or the placement of ‘KPK lines’, in the office of the Director General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budhi Utama, during the early stages of enforcement regarding alleged corruption within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise last February.
The sealing was conducted because the KPK strongly suspected that evidence related to the ongoing investigation was located within that premises.
KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that enforcement teams typically perform sealings at several locations during a series of Sting Operations (OTT), including in the Customs and Excise case. He explained that the dynamics during a sting operation are often high, while the time available is limited to just 24 hours to determine the legal status of the parties caught in the act.
“It is like this: in sting operation events, the dynamics are often quite high. This means we only have 24 hours during a sting operation. We often perform sealings and install KPK lines at several locations or places where we suspect there is evidence or evidence needed when this case moves to the investigation stage,” Budi said at the Merah Putih Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday night.
Budi further noted that once a case moves to the investigation stage, the KPK can carry out coercive measures, such as searches, at locations suspected of containing evidence. During these searches, the KPK also performs sealings or places KPK lines to search for evidence in the alleged Customs and Excise corruption case. Once a seal is removed, it signifies that there is no longer any evidence in that room.
“Naturally, when a room is searched, investigators are convinced that the necessary evidence is in that room. On the other hand, if a room is not searched, it means investigators believe the evidence is already sufficient for the needs of the investigation,” said Budi.
Previously, KPK prosecutors presented photos of the office of the Director General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budhi Utama, which was sealed by the KPK investigation team during the initial enforcement, during a trial at the Corruption Crimes Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court on Wednesday afternoon.
The trial agenda involved the examination of witnesses for the defendant, Budiman Bayu Prasojo, who serves as the Head of the Excise Intelligence, Enforcement, and Investigation Section of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
During a Q&A session with witness Ayu Sukorini, the former Secretary of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, regarding buildings within the Customs and Excise department, prosecutors revealed that the KPK lines had been removed by parties suspected of being linked to the case.