Raffi Ahmad Denies Involvement in Customs Bribery Case

Presidential Special Envoy, Raffi Ahmad, has asserted that he is not involved in the alleged bribery case related to goods importation within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance.

Raffi explained that in 2023, he travelled to the United States to participate in the Chicago Marathon. He was accompanied by his wife, Nagita Slavina, as well as Ariel Noah, Desta, and Gading Marten.

“Gading and Desta did not participate in the marathon; only Ariel and I participated in the Chicago Marathon. It was a major marathon. My wife also participated, and there were many Indonesian runners there; I was happy to check on them,” Raffi said during a press conference in South Jakarta on Thursday (11/6).

After Chicago, Raffi and his companions travelled directly to New York during their leisure time. In New York, Raffi stated that he and his colleagues also promoted businesses owned by Indonesians living there.

The Special Envoy for the Development of Youth and Arts stated that during his time in New York, he visited Awang Kitchen and Indojava.

“So, while I was eating at Awbar Kitchen and Indojava, after those activities were finished, you can see in the vlogs and photos that many Indonesian friends approached me for photos and such,” said Raffi.

“As I left Awang Kitchen, there were one, two, three shops next to it, one of which was called Blueray,” he added.

Raffi revealed that in front of the Blueray shop, he was approached by their employees who invited him for a photo. Raffi maintained that he did not enter the shop.

“They introduced themselves, but I did not know them. They said, ‘Mr. Raffi, our company, Blueray, can send anything, whether it is mobile phones, laptops, iPads, etc.,’” Raffi recounted.

Raffi disclosed that he was offered the shipment of the latest mobile phones. He admitted he responded to the offer, but only as a matter of polite small talk.

“It wouldn’t be possible, I said, ‘Oh, no, I don’t want to send through you,’ because that wouldn’t make sense,” he said.

“I just said, ‘Oh, yes, yes, okay, if there is a new phone, I will send it.’ It was merely small talk. After that, I left to continue to other places. That was all,” he continued.

Raffi emphasised that following that moment, he had no further relationship or communication with Blueray. He also asserted that he never received any shipments from them.

“I do not have their phone number. I have never received any shipments. I don’t even remember the name. I didn’t even make a transactional order. It was just small talk. I have no communication with them; I am confused as to why it is claimed that I have communication with them,” said Raffi.

Raffi Ahmad has been named in connection with an alleged bribery case regarding goods importation within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance.

Raffi’s name first surfaced during the trial of the defendant, John Field, leader of Blueray Cargo (Group), at the Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court on Friday (5/6).

During the trial, prosecutors from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) initially questioned witness Sri Pangestuti (alias Tuti), a Customs Broker (PPJK), regarding a request to ship laptops and iPhone 17s from the US to Indonesia.

The request was reportedly made by Yohanes, the personal assistant to John Field, when Raffi visited the Blueray Cargo office in the US.

“Were you ever asked for help, as seen in this WhatsApp communication, to help send laptops and iPhones from the United States?” the prosecutor asked during the trial.

Tuti confirmed the communication between herself and Yohanes, but claimed she was reluctant to fulfil the request.

Raffi’s name was also included in the interrogation report (BAP) of Yohanes, which was questioned by prosecutors in court on Wednesday (20/5).

“In BAP Number 108, there is a cargo consignment in Bali under the name Raffi Ahmad through Nelwan, a Blueray employee representing the US in Jakarta. He requested to send a laptop and a phone, how is this, witness?” the prosecutor asked.

Yohanes explained that Nelwan was the Head of Division for Blueray Cargo in the US and that the request occurred while Raffi was on holiday.

“Let me explain. It was from Ko Nelwan, the US division head. While Raffi was travelling in America, he wanted to consign a phone. It was an iPhone 17, if I am not mistaken, to be brought in,” answered Yohanes.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed that Raffi’s name was mentioned in the case.

Acting Director of Investigations at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, explained that Raffi’s name appeared because he had visited the Blueray Cargo office in the US to consign or send several electronic items to Indonesia, such as the iPhone 17.

“It is true, there are facts that Mr. RA [Raffi Ahmad] consigned items,” said Taufik at the KPK Red and White Building on Monday (8/6) night.