Pressure is mounting on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to conduct a formal examination of the Director General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budhi Utama. This call follows revelations in the ongoing bribery trial involving PT Blueray Cargo, where the official’s name surfaced in connection with illicit payments.
During a session at the Jakarta Corruption Court on May 20, prosecutors presented evidence concerning an envelope containing 213,600 Singapore dollars marked with the code “Sales 2-1 DIR.” According to the prosecution, this code directly references Djaka Budhi Utama.
The Call for Accountability
Yenti Garnasih, a specialist in money laundering offenses, has publicly questioned the KPK’s apparent inaction regarding the Director General. She argues that the inclusion of an official’s name in a formal indictment is a significant procedural development that necessitates an immediate summons for questioning.
Garnasih emphasized that such evidence, which includes documentation of bribe transfers, is not presented spontaneously by prosecutors. She warned that failing to address the involvement of high-ranking leadership creates a negative precedent for the institution and undermines the integrity of the ongoing anti-corruption efforts.
Institutional Implications and Next Steps
Beyond the legal investigation, there are growing demands for administrative action. Garnasih has urged Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa to utilize his oversight authority to suspend or non-job officials implicated in such serious allegations. The objective, according to critics, is to ensure that the leadership of the Customs and Excise office remains untainted by the current judicial proceedings.
As the trial of John Field and his associates continues, a possible next step is a formal summons by the KPK for the Director General to provide testimony. Should the commission opt not to proceed with an examination, it could lead to further public and professional calls for clarification regarding the evidentiary weight of the documents currently held by prosecutors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is being asked to examine the Director General of Customs and Excise?
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is being urged to examine Director General Djaka Budhi Utama regarding his alleged role in the PT Blueray Cargo bribery case.
What is the evidence linking the Director General to the case?
During the May 20 trial, prosecutors revealed an envelope containing 213,600 Singapore dollars labeled with the code “Sales 2-1 DIR,” which they stated refers to Djaka Budhi Utama.
What actions are being requested of the Minister of Finance?
Critics are calling for Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa to exercise his oversight role and place the Director General on inactive status or non-job him to protect the integrity of the institution while the case proceeds.
Do you believe that public officials named in formal indictments should be automatically suspended pending the outcome of an investigation?
