KPK Searches Head Office; PT Djarum Responds
PT Djarum, through its Corporate Communication Senior Manager, Budi Darmawan, responded to a search conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) at the company’s head office in Kudus, Central Java, on Wednesday (28 October).
Budi Darmawan said the company respected the legal process being carried out by the anti-graft agency. He stressed that Djarum would co-operate to help conclude the investigation into the alleged corruption case.
“We respect and comply with the law. We are co-operating,” Budi Darmawan said when contacted on Wednesday (28 October).
As well as PT Djarum, the KPK searched the Kudus Type Madya Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office (KPPBC).
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said investigators seized a number of documents and electronic evidence during searches at the two locations. He said the alleged corruption case under investigation concerned state revenue from excise.
Budi said the case was an extension of a case within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise that came to light last February. Investigators issued a new investigation warrant in October.
“The searches are still under way. Among the items secured are documents and electronic evidence. The case is suspected to concern state revenue from excise,” Budi said at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday evening (28 October).
The KPK is using a general investigation warrant in handling the case. Suspects will be identified and named as the investigation proceeds.
“Everything will proceed in stages: the searches, followed by examinations of the relevant parties and witnesses,” he said.
Budi said investigators would also examine suspected kickbacks or payments allegedly made by PT Djarum to officials at Customs and Excise in connection with excise stamps.
“Excise stamps are affixed to every packet of cigarettes. There may also be other methods. The initial suspicion in this investigation is that it concerns state revenue from excise at PT Djarum,” Budi said.
The KPK has previously issued two new investigation warrants in connection with alleged corruption at Customs and Excise. One names Gatot Heroe Hernanda, head of the Kediri Customs and Excise Supervision and Service Office, as a suspect. No suspect has yet been named under the other warrant.
Based on evidence presented at trial, KPK prosecutors believe that Blueray Cargo (Group) owner John Field and his associates, Dedy Kurniawan Sukolo and Andri, committed the offences alleged: bribing several Directorate General of Customs and Excise officials to speed up the release of Blueray Cargo Group’s imported goods from customs supervision.
Several other names also emerged at the trial as alleged recipients of money, although they have not been prosecuted. They include Ahmad Dedi, also known as Dedi Congor, who was said to have received Rp30 billion, and Customs and Excise Director General Djaka Budhi Utama, who was alleged to have received Rp21 billion.