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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Raffi Ahmad Denies Involvement in Customs Case, Cites Casual US Encounter

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Indonesian celebrity Raffi Ahmad held a press conference to address his name being linked to a customs corruption case.
  • He explained his presence at the Blueray Cargo office in the US was a casual encounter during a trip with friends.
  • Ahmad stated he only engaged in polite conversation and did not use Blueray Cargo's services or have further contact.

Indonesian celebrity Raffi Ahmad has publicly addressed his name surfacing in connection with an alleged corruption case at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, Ahmad sought to clarify his involvement, which he described as a misunderstanding stemming from a brief encounter.

At that time, it's true, I went abroad. I ran a marathon with Ariel, Gading, and Desta.

— Raffi AhmadAhmad described his trip to the United States where the encounter with Blueray Cargo occurred.

Ahmad recounted traveling to the United States in October 2025 for a marathon in Chicago with friends, including fellow celebrities Ariel, Gading, and Desta. Following the marathon, he visited New York, where he promoted local businesses. During this time, he visited a restaurant called Awang Kitchen, which was located next to the Blueray Cargo office.

The shop next door was called Blueray. They called me, 'Mas Raffi, Mas Ariel, Mas Gading, take a photo with me'.

— Raffi AhmadAhmad explained how he came into contact with Blueray Cargo staff.

According to Ahmad, staff from Blueray Cargo approached him and his companions for a photo. During this interaction, an employee explained the company's services for shipping goods from the US to Indonesia. Ahmad described his response as a polite, non-committal agreement, saying, "Okay, okay, okay, later if there is a new cellphone, I will send it." He emphasized that this was merely small talk and that he did not place an order or use their services.

Okay, okay, okay, later if there is a new cellphone, I will send it. It was just that. The point is, I was just making small talk.

— Raffi AhmadAhmad characterized his interaction with the Blueray Cargo employee.

He further stated that he has had no subsequent communication with Blueray Cargo, does not possess their contact information, and has never received any shipments from them. The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had previously confirmed that Raffi Ahmad's name appeared in the investigation, specifically regarding his visit to the Blueray Cargo office to potentially send electronic goods to Indonesia. However, the KPK noted that the investigation had not yet developed further regarding this specific aspect.

I don't have their phone number, I've never received anything, I don't even remember the name, nor did I order, transactionally speaking. It was just small talk.

— Raffi AhmadAhmad emphasized the lack of any actual business dealings with Blueray Cargo.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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