New Chapter in Blueray Case: Kediri Customs Chief Named Suspect

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has escalated a corruption probe by naming Gatot Heroe Hernanda, the head of the Customs and Excise office in Kediri, as a suspect. This development is an extension of an ongoing investigation into alleged bribery and the acceptance of gratuities linked to the importation of goods within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, which previously implicated PT Blueray Cargo (Group).

The suspect status of Hernanda was revealed during the testimony of John Field, the owner of PT Blueray Cargo, who appeared as a witness on Wednesday. Field, who has already been convicted in the bribery and gratuity case, stated that he had given Rp3.2 billion to Hernanda. This alleged payment was reportedly made in an envelope marked with the code 'PGH', as disclosed by Field during his testimony at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court.

Achmad Taufik Husein, the acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, confirmed the designation of Hernanda as a suspect, stating that the information had been verified with the individual concerned. This confirmation follows recent court proceedings where Field's involvement and payments to customs officials were detailed. Field himself was previously sentenced to two years in prison and fined Rp300 million for his role in the import bribery scheme.

The KPK has issued two new investigation orders related to alleged corruption within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. These new orders stem from legal findings that emerged during the trial of John Field and his associates. One of these new orders has already led to the designation of a suspect, while the other is still in its preliminary stages. Husein noted that the Rp91 billion in payments from Blueray mentioned in court decisions has been analyzed, revealing several clusters, including one specifically involving Customs and Excise officials.

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Pak Gatot