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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Indonesian Customs Official Used Bribe Money to Buy Cigars for Law Enforcement

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Former Indonesian customs official Budiman Bayu Prasojo testified that bribery money from exporters was used to buy cigars for law enforcement officials linked to former director Rizal.
  • The funds were part of operational money collected from export-import businesses, with purchases requiring approval from superiors.
  • The case involves seven suspects and an alleged Rp 61.3 billion in bribes, with prosecutors investigating the use of funds for personal gain and gifts.

A former Indonesian customs official has revealed that money obtained through bribery was used to purchase cigars for law enforcement officials. Budiman Bayu Prasojo, former Head of Customs Intelligence at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, testified in court that these purchases were made for associates of the former Director of Enforcement and Investigation, Rizal.

I have used it several times for coordination and according to the leader's direction.

— Budiman Bayu PrasojoResponding to a prosecutor's question about the use of operational funds.

The testimony came during a trial for alleged import bribery at the Jakarta Pusat Corruption Court. Prasojo explained that operational funds, collected from exporters, were used for "coordination" and other purposes as directed by superiors. When questioned about specific uses, he stated that Rizal had instructed the purchase of items, including cigars, for law enforcement contacts.

There were also instructions to give to person A, to person B.

— Budiman Bayu PrasojoDescribing how funds were allocated.

This case has led to seven suspects being named by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The alleged bribes amount to Rp 61.3 billion in Singapore dollars. Investigators also found entertainment facilities worth Rp 1.45 billion, a Tag Heuer watch valued at Rp 65 million, and a Mazda CX-5 car worth Rp 330 million. The KPK suspects the bribes were paid to facilitate imports and avoid customs scrutiny. Three individuals from Blueray Cargo, identified as bribe-givers, are already on trial.

Buying cigars for Mr. Rizal's friends who are law enforcement officers.

— Budiman Bayu PrasojoAnswering a prosecutor's question about what was purchased and for whom.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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