Raffi Ahmad Denies Involvement in Customs Case, Explains How His Name Got Dragged In

The President’s Special Envoy for Youth and Arts Workers, Raffi Ahmad, has denied involvement in an alleged import bribery case at the Ministry of Finance’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise. He recounted how his name became entangled and linked to PT Blueray, whose boss is a defendant in the case. Raffi said it all began when he participated in a marathon event with several artists in the United States. After the event, they visited Awang Kitchen, a spot popular with Indonesians. ‘After the activity was over, you can see later in the vlog and in the photos, many Indonesian friends asked for photos. I left Awang Kitchen, and one, two, three shops next to it, there was something called, what was it, Blueray,’ Raffi said during a press conference in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Thursday (11/6/2026). Raffi admitted he did not refuse when asked to take a photo by the Blueray employee. He claimed there is photographic evidence from that encounter. ‘Yes, he introduced himself, but I didn’t know him. I didn’t know him, then they said, “Mas Raffi, our company, Blueray, we can send you anything, be it a mobile phone, laptop, iPad, anything.” I said, “Oh, there is the latest mobile phone, can you send it later? Surely not.” I said, “Oh, no, I don’t want to send it through you.” Of course I wouldn’t say yes,’ he explained. Raffi maintained it was merely small talk. According to him, someone from Blueray later contacted him again. ‘Here, I was just making small talk, a little bit of casual chat happened there,’ he said. Raffi stated he was offered free shipping services but refused. ‘There was a chat, they said it was free. I said, “Oh, no need, no need, I don’t need it. No, I don’t want it if it’s free, I don’t want it.” I said that. “Maybe later.” They said, “Well, if you order?” “Yes, yes, yes, alright, if there is something, I’ll just order, okay, okay.” I only went that far,’ he said. Raffi Ahmad’s name first surfaced in this case during a trial with defendant John Field, the head of Blueray Cargo Group, and others on Friday (5/6). The KPK prosecutor initially questioned witness Sri Pangestuti, a Customs Brokerage Service Entrepreneur (PPJK), regarding a request to ship a laptop and an iPhone 17 from the United States to Indonesia. Taufik stated that the KPK will study the facts presented in the trial. The agency also does not rule out the possibility of summoning related parties in the proceedings. ‘Whether these trial facts will become new facts that need to be further investigated? Yes, we will certainly conduct examinations,’ he said.