KPK Summons Cigarette Entrepreneurs in Customs Case, Purbaya: If There's Anything Shady, Just Arrest Them
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has emphasised that the case currently being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the Directorate General of Customs and Excise is an old matter that occurred in a previous period.
“That is an old case, if I’m not mistaken, during the tax amnesty. There are no new ones yet; if there is anything shady, we just arrest them,” said Purbaya when met at the Ministry of Finance, Jakarta, on Tuesday (7/4/2026).
Purbaya made this statement in response to the KPK’s summons of several cigarette entrepreneurs in the alleged corruption case involving the importation of goods at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
He also assured that supervision in the customs and excise sector is continuously being strengthened to prevent similar cases from recurring.
One of the steps being prepared is the implementation of new technology to monitor cigarette production more accurately, in order to close potential loopholes for violations in the excise sector.
“We will implement new technology to calculate the number of cigarettes produced. Hopefully, it can be approved and implemented in the near future,” he said.
In addition, the Ministry of Finance has opened a public complaint channel through the “Report to Pak Purbaya” service. This channel allows the public to report complaints, suspected deviations, and improper behaviour related to taxes and customs and excise.
The government has also formed a Task Force (Satgas) for Debottlenecking, a special team tasked with resolving investment obstacles. This team will handle reports of licensing hurdles on a regular weekly basis.
From these reports, the government can identify various field issues, including practices that hinder services or cause bottlenecking. Purbaya emphasised that input from the public is an important element in the improvement process.
“We need truly actual input experienced by Indonesians, not just from large companies,” he stated.
Regarding internal discipline enforcement, Purbaya acknowledged that firm actions have been taken against officials who violate rules. In recent months, several employees have been dismissed.
“Several have already been sacked. We will convey it later,” he said.
He emphasised that these steps are part of the government’s commitment to improving governance and maintaining public trust in state financial management institutions.
Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) summoned several cigarette entrepreneurs as witnesses in the alleged corruption case involving the importation of goods at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), on Tuesday (31/3/2026).