Raffi Ahmad Contacts Cabinet Secretary Teddy and Deputy Speaker Dasco After Being Implicated in Blueray Case

Raffi Ahmad stated that he communicated with Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya and Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad after his name was mentioned in an alleged bribery case linked to the importation of goods within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance. ‘I have definitely communicated with palace officials, with Mr. Teddy, the Cabinet Secretary. I also spoke to a DPR leader, Mr. Dasco,’ Raffi said during a press conference in South Jakarta on Thursday (11/6). The Presidential Special Envoy for Youth and Arts Worker Development sought advice on how to respond to the matter. Raffi claimed he was subsequently directed to appoint a competent lawyer. As a follow-up, Raffi then appointed Hotman Paris to assist him in dealing with this issue. ‘I asked what else I should do, and the response was, “just find a competent lawyer who can help with all of this, and ask what the best step is to clear your own name, your personal name, and we really must not let this be dragged into politics”. So ultimately, whatever step I take, I will consult with Bang Hotman,’ he said. Raffi admitted that he did not actually mind the issue much. However, because he currently serves as the Presidential Special Envoy, Raffi eventually took a stand to respond. ‘This is because there is now the trust and mandate as Presidential Special Envoy. For something like this, I have to clear it up. In the past, I had many image-building exercises, but now, with things like this, I really must speak up and set the record straight. From the money laundering era until now, I must clear everything up,’ he stated. Raffi Ahmad was implicated in the alleged bribery case related to goods importation at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. His name first emerged during a trial for the defendant John Field, head of Blueray Cargo (Group), and others at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday (5/6). During the hearing, KPK prosecutors questioned witness Sri Pangestuti, also known as Tuti, a Customs Clearance Service Entrepreneur, regarding a request to ship a laptop and an iPhone 17 from the US to Indonesia. The request was conveyed by Yohanes, John Field’s personal assistant, when Raffi visited the Blueray Cargo office in the US. ‘Were you ever asked for assistance—this is in your WhatsApp communication chat—ever asked for help to send a laptop and an iPhone from the United States?’ the prosecutor asked during the trial. Tuti then confirmed the communication between herself and Yohanes, but claimed she was reluctant to fulfil the request. Raffi’s name was also known to be recorded in Yohanes’s official examination report. This was questioned by the prosecutor during the trial on Wednesday (20/5). ‘In Examination Report Number 108, there is a cargo deposit in Bali on behalf of Raffi Ahmad through Nelwan, a Blueray Jakarta employee in the American representative office. He deposited a laptop and a mobile phone. What about this, witness?’ the prosecutor asked. Yohanes then explained that Nelwan was the Head of the Blueray Cargo Division in the US. At that time, Raffi was on holiday. ‘Allow me to explain. So, it was from Mr. Nelwan, the head of the America division. He said Raffi was travelling to America and wanted to drop off a handset. It was the iPhone 17, if I’m not mistaken, which had just been released, to bring it in,’ Yohanes answered. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that Raffi’s name was mentioned in the case. Acting Director of KPK Investigations Achmad Taufik Husein explained that Raffi’s name appeared because he visited the Blueray Cargo office in the United States to drop off or send several electronic goods to Indonesia, such as an iPhone 17. ‘Correct, there is a fact that Mr. RA deposited goods,’ Taufik said at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Monday (8/6) evening.