Jakarta – Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested a Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) official, Budiman Bayu Prasojo (BBP), on Thursday, February 26, 2026, following his designation as a suspect in a graft investigation. The arrest took place at the DJBC headquarters on Jalan Ahmad Yani, East Jakarta, marking a significant development in a probe related to alleged gratuities and bribery.
The KPK’s move signals an escalation in efforts to combat corruption within the customs agency. According to KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo, the investigation expanded to include BBP after examining several suspects and individuals connected to the case, as well as conducting a series of searches. These searches reportedly uncovered five suitcases containing Rp5 billion (approximately $320,000 USD as of February 26, 2026) in cash, prompting further scrutiny into the source and intended leverage of the funds.
“From the development of the investigation in this case, the KPK today named a new suspect, namely Mr. BBP and then the team carried out the arrest,” Prasetyo stated at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta. “BBP is suspected of violating Article 12 B of the Corruption Law (UU Tipikor) or regarding gratuities, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the new Criminal Code (KUHP).”
The investigation into BBP is an extension of a prior case involving alleged bribery related to import procedures and the acceptance of gratuities. Several individuals are already implicated in the broader case, including Rizal, former Director of Investigation & Enforcement of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (serving from 2024-January 2026); Sisprian Subiaksono, Head of the Sub-Directorate of Intelligence for Enforcement and Investigation at the DJBC; Orlando, Head of the Intelligence Section of the DJBC; Andri, Chairman of the Document Import Team at PT BR; John Field, owner of PT Blueray; and Dedy Kurniawan, Operations Manager at PT BR. All of these suspects are currently detained at the KPK’s detention center.
The KPK had previously questioned Budiman as a witness on February 23, 2026, to investigate the use of a “safe house” in connection with the alleged bribery and gratuity scheme. This questioning followed a previous scheduling attempt on February 18, where Budiman was not present. Prasetyo explained that investigators are seeking to understand the purpose of the safe house, determining whether it was used solely for storing funds or for other operational activities.
“We are also delving into this with witness BPP and require other witnesses to explain the use of this safe house for what operations, whether only for placing money or for other activities,” Prasetyo said, according to reporting from CNN Indonesia.
The KPK’s investigation highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within Indonesia’s customs and excise system. The use of a “safe house” suggests a level of sophistication in attempts to conceal illicit funds and activities. The discovery of Rp5 billion in cash underscores the potential scale of the alleged corruption.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to delve deeper into the financial transactions and connections between the suspects. The KPK will likely focus on tracing the origin of the funds found in the suitcases and determining the specific benefits received by those implicated in the scheme. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the integrity of Indonesia’s trade and customs procedures.
The KPK has not yet announced a timeline for the completion of the investigation or the potential filing of charges. Still, the agency has vowed to pursue the case vigorously and bring all those involved to justice. The public will be watching closely to see how this case unfolds and whether it leads to broader reforms within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
What comes next will depend on the KPK’s ability to gather sufficient evidence and build a strong case against the accused. Further arrests and asset seizures are possible as the investigation continues. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating corruption and the importance of transparency and accountability in government institutions.
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