KPK Arrests New Suspect in Expanding Customs Corruption Probe
Jakarta. Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency has arrested another customs official as part of a widening bribery investigation involving importers and customs officers that allegedly caused state losses amounting to tens of billions of rupiah.
The case adds to mounting scrutiny of Indonesia’s customs operations, as authorities seek to crack down on illicit imports and strengthen oversight of trade-related revenue.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday detained Budiman Bayu Prasojo, an official at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise headquarters in Jakarta, naming him as a new suspect in the case.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said Budiman was arrested at around 4 p.m. based on testimony from witnesses and other suspects.
“He was arrested at approximately 4 p.m. and is currently undergoing intensive questioning by investigators,” Budi said.
The commission had previously named six suspects in the case, including three customs officials and three businessmen. Five of the six have been detained, while the sixth — John Field, identified as the owner of importing company Blueray — fled during the initial arrest operation.
Earlier this month, the KPK said it had uncovered an alleged bribery scheme in which customs officials received about Rp 7 billion ($414,700) per month in illegal payments to facilitate the entry of counterfeit and undeclared goods into Indonesia.
“The monthly allocation received by the officials reached approximately Rp 7 billion. The goods that were passed through included fake footwear and various other items,” Budi said at the time.
During a series of raids, investigators seized Rp 40.5 billion ($2.4 million) in cash across multiple currencies, 5.3 kilograms of gold, and a luxury wristwatch from the suspects.
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