Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission is investigating alleged manipulation of cigarette excise payments at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC), saying it has secured evidence and preliminary information on companies suspected of involvement in illegal cigarette imports.

The statement came after the KPK detained and named a new suspect on Friday in its ongoing investigation into alleged corruption involving import clearance and excise arrangements at the customs agency.

The suspect, Budiman Bayu Prasojo (BBP), is head of the Intelligence Section for Excise Enforcement and Investigation at DJBC.

Asep Guntur Rahayu, the KPK’s deputy for enforcement and execution, said investigators would summon cigarette importers or producers linked to the alleged excise manipulation. He said the agency already holds initial evidence and information about companies suspected of involvement.

“Will cigarette producers be summoned? Of course. Based on statements from this suspect and others we have secured, as well as witnesses and the evidence we have, we will examine which companies and who is involved,” Asep said at the KPK’s headquarters in South Jakarta.

Asep said investigators suspect certain cigarette importing companies provided bribes and/or gratuities to Budiman and other customs officials in connection with excise arrangements.

The KPK previously seized Rp 5.19 billion ($300,000) in cash from a safe house linked to the suspects. The money is believed to be proceeds from alleged bribery related to import clearance and excise regulation at the customs agency.

“This money could not have appeared out of nowhere. Someone must have delivered it and handed it over. If it was received by customs officials in the excise division, there must have been a giver,” Asep said.

He declined to disclose the names of the companies allegedly involved, saying investigators are still gathering comprehensive information before making it public.

“It is not that we will not reveal it, but we are still tracing the information. We already have leads, but they cannot yet be disclosed,” Asep said, adding that details such as company names, owners and the amounts involved would be announced once the investigation is complete.

Budiman’s designation as a suspect expands an earlier case involving alleged bribery and gratuities tied to import arrangements at the DJBC. Investigators allege that he received illicit payments not only related to customs clearance but also to excise regulation.

The Rp 5.19 billion seized from a safe house in Ciputat is suspected to be part of gratuities received by Budiman and Sisprian Subiaksono (SIS), head of the Subdirectorate for Intelligence in Enforcement and Investigation at the DJBC.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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