Witness Recounts Code Recording Request in Indonesian Customs Bribery Trial

Jakarta, Indonesia – A witness in a high-profile customs bribery case has revealed details of alleged code-recording requests made during meetings involving officials and a cargo company owner. Sri Pangestuti, a businesswoman, testified in court that she was instructed by John Field, owner of Blueray Cargo, to jot down specific numerical codes.

The incident reportedly took place in July 2025 during a meeting at the office of Orlando Hamonangan Sianipar, identified as the Head of Customs Intelligence Section I at the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation of Customs and Excise. Pangestuti, who knew Sianipar from his previous post in Bali, stated that Field asked her to record the codes, saying, "Ma'am, I often forget, please write it down."

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Ma'am, I often forget, please write it down.

During the trial at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) court, Pangestuti confirmed that a photograph shown as evidence contained her handwriting, detailing codes such as "P. GH = 250," "P. EN = 600," and "P. OC (by+fc) = 750." She admitted to forgetting the exact meaning of these codes but recalled that both Field and Sianipar encouraged her to write them down. She later sent a photo of the notes to Field's staff member, Yohannes.

The KPK has named seven suspects in this alleged bribery scheme, which reportedly facilitated the import of goods while evading customs inspections. The total illicit flow is estimated to be over 61.3 billion Indonesian rupiah (approximately $4 million USD) in Singapore dollars, along with entertainment facilities, a luxury watch, and a car. The prosecution is ongoing for the alleged bribe-givers, including John Field, Andri, and Dedy Kurniawan from Blueray Cargo.

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I only wrote what was said. Mr. John said 'Ma'am, write it down,' and Mr. Ocoy also said 'Yes, Ma'am, just write it down.'