Name of Customs Director General Emerges in Bribery Indictment, KPK Challenged to Investigate Thoroughly

The emergence of the name of the Director General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance, Djaka Budhi Utama, in the indictment of the defendant and owner of Blueray Cargo, John Field, has come under the spotlight and presents a challenge for the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

The indictment states that Dirjen Bea Cukai Djaka Budi, along with Rizal, Sisprian Subiaksono, and Orlando Hamonangan, met with cargo businessmen at one of Jakarta’s hotels in July 2025. One of the businessmen present was John Field.

Former KPK leader Saut Situmorang views the appearance of Djaka’s name in the trial as potentially part of an investigative strategy. He even likened the emergence of Djaka’s name in the proceedings to eating porridge.

“Indeed, from a strategic perspective, it could be various things. In the past, we used to say, ‘to eat hot porridge, you start from the edge first’. But if a criminal act has already occurred, it depends on the skill of the investigators, prosecutors, and public prosecutors to develop this case, so that justice is achieved and legal certainty is attained,” said Saut when confirmed on Monday, 11 May 2026.

Nevertheless, Saut continued, the KPK has experience with many similar cases that ultimately just faded away. For this reason, he considers this a challenge for the KPK, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive that does not tolerate corruption cases.

“Hopefully it won’t be like that (fading away), because this is a clear message from the President, ‘I will chase corruptors even to Antarctica’. That’s the President’s message. Moreover, it is also supported by Mr Purbaya’s statement that there must be a clean-up at Customs and Excise,” he said.

According to Saut, if the criminal event occurred in 2025, while Djaka was appointed in May 2025, then it can be estimated that during that period he was already holding the position of Director General of Customs and Excise.

“So when someone is in office, especially if he attends that meeting, a criminal act should not occur. He should be able to say, ‘hey, what’s this, why are you doing this, don’t, I’m the leader here’, it should be like that,” he stated.

If tracing the chronology of the case, said Saut, it can be suspected that the bribery indeed occurred during Djaka’s leadership. Where John met with Customs and Excise officials in May.