Trial Reveals Alleged $21 Million Bribe Payments to Indonesian Customs Director General

A corruption trial has exposed alleged large-scale bribery within Indonesia's Directorate General of Customs and Excise, with the leader of Blueray Cargo Group, John Field, at the center. Court proceedings revealed that Djaka Budhi Utama, the Director General of Customs and Excise, is accused of receiving around 21 billion Indonesian rupiah (approximately US$1.3 million) in bribes.

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The giving in July 2025, the accumulation was Rp8.2 billion. BC1 Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budhi Utama Rp3 billion, BC2 Brother Rizal Rp2 billion, BC3 Sis Rp1 billion.

The prosecution detailed how the money was allegedly funneled to Djaka Budhi and other high-ranking customs officials through a coded system. During the trial at the Central Jakarta District Court, prosecutors read from John Field's police investigation report, which outlined seven instances of alleged payments. These payments, made between July 2025 and January 2026, were reportedly designated for Djaka Budhi (coded BC1), Rizal, Director of Enforcement and Investigation (coded BC2), and Sisprian Subiaksono, Head of Sub-Directorate of Intelligence (coded BC3).

John Field, the defendant, confirmed the accuracy of the report, including specific amounts and dates. For example, a July 2025 payment allegedly totaled 8.2 billion rupiah, with 3 billion rupiah designated for Djaka Budhi, 2 billion for Rizal, and 1 billion for Sisprian. Similar amounts were allegedly paid in subsequent months, often in Singapore dollars. The prosecution stated that the total accumulation for Djaka Budhi across these alleged payments reached approximately 21 billion rupiah.

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Yes.

Field testified that he believed the bribes reached their intended targets because Orlando Hamonangan, a Customs official who allegedly relayed the codes, never expressed any complaints from the recipients. Rizal, Sisprian, and Orlando are also under investigation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for their alleged involvement. The trial continues to unfold the intricate details of this alleged corruption scheme within a key government agency.

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So, Mr. John, may the panel understand and be convinced from Mr. Ocoy's (Orlando's) statement that Mr. Ocoy never conveyed any complaints from the parties who received them.