KPK Summons Several Businessmen in Customs Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has summoned several businessmen, including Muhammad Suryo, to undergo examination as witnesses in connection with an alleged bribery and gratifications case implicating officials from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), on Thursday (2/4).
In addition to Suryo, the KPK has scheduled examinations for two other witnesses from the private sector, namely Arief Harwanto and Johan Sugiharto.
“Today, the KPK has scheduled examinations of witnesses in the alleged criminal corruption act related to customs and excise at the DJBC. The examinations are being conducted at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building for: AH, MS, JS,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written statement on Thursday (2/4).
Budi was unable to disclose the specific matters that investigators intend to probe from these three individuals. Such details are typically provided by the KPK after the examinations are completed. As of now, there has been no confirmation regarding the attendance of these witnesses.
The name M. Suryo is not unfamiliar to the KPK. He was previously questioned in connection with the handling of a corruption case within the Directorate General of Railways under the Ministry of Transportation (DJKA Kemenhub) in 2023.
In fact, there was controversy surrounding M. Suryo when one of the KPK leaders at the time, Johanis Tanak, confirmed his status as a suspect, yet to date, there has been no clarity on his legal proceedings.
Regarding the DJKA case, Suryo has been examined by the KPK multiple times in his capacity as a witness. He was previously questioned in relation to the suspect Dion Renato Sugiarto, the boss of PT Istana Putra Agung, who is now a convicted felon.
In the indictment against Dion, Suryo is mentioned as having received “sleeping fee” from Dion amounting to Rp9.5 billion out of a promised Rp11 billion. A sleeping fee refers to payments given by the winning bidder in a tender to the losing bidders as a customary practice in rigging project tenders.
The tenders in question relate to the Double-Track Railway Construction Package between Solo Balapan - Kadipiro - Kalioso KM96+400 to KM104+900 (JGSS 6) in 2022, the Elevated Double-Track Railway Construction Package between Solo Balapan - Kadipiro KM104+900 to KM106+900 (JGSS 4) in 2022, and the Track Layout for Tegal Station (TLO Tegal) in 2023.
Customs case
Meanwhile, the KPK has named seven individuals as suspects in the alleged bribery and gratifications case implicating DJBC officials.
They are: former Director of Investigation and Enforcement at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise for the period 2024-January 2026, Rizal; Head of the Subdirectorate of Enforcement Intelligence and Investigation at the DJBC (Kasubdit Intel P2 DJBC), Sisprian Subiaksono.
Then, Head of the Intelligence Section at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Kasi Intel DJBC), Orlando; Chairman of the Import Document Team at PT BR, Andri; DJBC Employee, Budiman Bayu Prasojo; Owner of PT Blueray, John Field; and Operations Manager at PT BR, Dedy Kurniawan.
The suspects have been detained at the KPK’s State Detention House (Rutan).
For their actions, Rizal, Sisprian, and Orlando are charged with violating Article 12 letters a and b of the Corruption Eradication Law (UU Tipikor) as well as Article 605 paragraph 2 and Article 606 paragraph 2 in conjunction with Articles 20 and 21 of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
They are also charged with violating Article 12 B of the UU Tipikor in conjunction with Articles 20 and 21 of the KUHP.
As for Budiman Bayu Prasojo, he is charged with violating Article 12 B of the UU Tipikor in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the KUHP.
Meanwhile, John Field, Andri, and Dedy Kurniawan, as bribe-givers, are charged with violating Article 605 paragraphs 1 a and b and Article 606 paragraph 1 of the KUHP.