Purbaya Comments on Customs Director-General's Appearance in Import Bribery Trial
Director-General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance, Djaka Budhi Utama, is mentioned in a case of alleged bribery related to the importation of goods currently being tried at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor). Djaka’s name appeared in the indictment read by prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday (6/5/2026).
Quoted by detikFinance, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said his side would follow the ongoing legal process before taking any action.
“Yes, we’ll see later. We’ll observe what the legal process is like,” Purbaya said at his office in Central Jakarta on Thursday (7/5/2026).
Purbaya stated that he had communicated directly with Djaka after his name was mentioned in the trial. According to him, Djaka expressed readiness to follow all applicable legal stages.
“I’ve already (communicated with Djaka). He will follow the applicable legal process. This isn’t anything yet, it’s still new,” Purbaya explained.
Purbaya emphasised that his side would provide legal assistance because Djaka’s status remains an employee of the Ministry of Finance. However, he assured that such action does not constitute intervention.
“There will definitely be (assistance) from us if Mr Djaka is called for anything. Others get assistance too. It’s not intervention, you know. It’s the same abroad,” Purbaya clarified.
Purbaya admitted he would not suspend Djaka from his position as Director-General of Customs and Excise until there is a guilty verdict from the court. Action will be taken only after a decision is made.
“No (suspension), until it’s clear what the process is like there. It’s just starting, his name just came up, how could we stop immediately. We’ll see until it’s as clear as possible what the case is, then we’ll take action,” he added.
According to Purbaya, it is still too early to make a decision regarding Djaka. This is because his name only emerged on Wednesday (6/5/2025) in the indictment for the bribery case related to goods importation, with the trial taking place at the Tipikor State Court in Central Jakarta.
“I haven’t got a clear picture of this yet. It was only mentioned last night in court. We’ll see what the continuation of the process is like, that’s all,” Purbaya added.
Name of Customs and Excise Director-General Emerges in Indictment Hearing
In the KPK prosecutor’s indictment document, it is known that Djaka was one of the DJBC officials who met with several cargo entrepreneurs at the Borobudur Hotel in Central Jakarta in July 2025. One of the parties present at that meeting was John Field, the leader of Blueray Cargo, who is a defendant in this case.
“That subsequently in July 2025 at the Borobudur Hotel, Jalan Lapangan Banteng Selatan Number 1, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, a meeting was held between DJBC officials including Djaka Budi Utama, Rizal, Sisprian Subiaksono, and Orlando Hamonangan Sianipar,” reads the indictment content for John Field, Dedy Kurniawan Sukolo as Operational Manager of Blueray Cargo, and Andri as Head of the Blueray Cargo Import Documents Team.
One month later, precisely in August 2025, the three defendants met with Orlando Hamonangan and Fillar Marindra as implementers in the Intelligence Sub-Directorate of the DJBC Enforcement and Investigation Directorate. In that meeting, John Field conveyed concerns about the increasing number of Blueray Cargo import shipments entering the red channel and facing dwelling time.
From there, Orlando immediately communicated upwards to Sisprian and then to Rizal. That coordination eventually bore fruit, allowing the Blueray Cargo imports in the red channel to be released quickly under direct supervision from Rizal, Sisprian, and Orlando.
During the communication and coordination process conducted by the defendants with those DJBC officials, money, entertainment facilities, and luxury goods were provided. The giving began in July 2025 with money worth Rp 8.2 billion in Singapore dollars to Orlando.
Then in August 2025, John Field again handed over money worth Rp 8.9 billion in Singapore dollars. Then in September 2025, money amounting to Rp 8.5 billion, still in Singapore dollars, was given again.
These givings continued until January 2026, with the total for Singapore dollar bills reaching Rp 61.3 billion, plus entertainment facilities and luxury goods worth Rp 1.8 billion. The KPK prosecutors assess that the actions of the defendants violate Article 605 paragraph 1 letter a and Article 606 paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.