KPK Suspects Iskandar Sitorus of Obstructing Customs Corruption Investigation

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that the actions of Indonesian Audit Watch (IAW) founding secretary Iskandar Sitorus were aimed at obstructing the investigation into an alleged corruption case within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. Based on KPK findings, Iskandar allegedly collected information or witness examination materials related to the case. “Saksi IHS [Iskandar HP Sitorus] attended the examination today, where investigators delved into the witness’s testimony regarding the alleged collection of information or witness examination materials in this case, which is suspected of being an attempt to obstruct the investigation process,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written statement on Friday (12/6). Nonetheless, Budi stressed that investigators are continuing their work and examining the evidence obtained. “Investigators are still examining the evidence obtained to determine whether the actions of the parties involved meet the elements of Article 21 of the Anti-Corruption Law,” Budi stated. Iskandar was examined as a witness at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building. He admitted to receiving a non-litigation power of attorney from Blueray Cargo Group executive John Field, one of the individuals being processed by the KPK. A non-litigation power of attorney is legal authority granted to a person to represent and act on behalf of a client in resolving matters or disputes outside of court. “I was summoned as a witness because I received a non-litigation power of attorney from John Field regarding the bribery corruption crime committed by the three suspects,” Iskandar said at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Friday afternoon. Upon receiving the power of attorney, Iskandar said he was faced with various out-of-court matters such as customer complaints, employment terminations, and others. “Because Blueray’s employees have gone from 1,500 to just 115 now,” he said. He noted many things have happened at Blueray since the law enforcement process began regarding the alleged bribery of several officials at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. John Field is accused of bribing several officials at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise with Rp61 billion in cash and Rp1.8 billion in entertainment facilities and luxury goods. The bribery was allegedly carried out by Field together with Defendant II Dedy Kurniawan Sukolo, Operational Manager of Custom Clearance at the Port for Blueray Cargo Group, and Defendant III Andri, Head of the Import Document Team at Blueray Cargo Group. The recipients of the bribes included Director of Enforcement and Investigation Rizal, Sub-Director of Intelligence at the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation Sisprian Subiaksono, and Head of Customs Intelligence Section I at the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation Orlando Hamonangan. The cluster of Directorate General of Customs and Excise officials will be prosecuted in a separate case file. Of the total amount, Rizal allegedly received around Rp14 billion, Sisprian Rp7 billion, and Orlando around Rp4.05 billion. The remainder was enjoyed by other parties who have not yet been processed legally, one of whom is Enov Puji Wijanarko, Head of Import Enforcement Section I at the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation. The facilities provided to the customs officials included entertainment worth Rp1.45 billion, a Tag Heuer watch worth Rp65 million for Orlando, and a Mazda CX-5 worth Rp330 million for Enov Puji Wijanarko. According to prosecutors, the bribes were given so that customs officials would expedite the clearance process for imported goods belonging to Blueray Cargo Group.