Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has publicly addressed the emergence of Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budi Utama’s name in an indictment related to an alleged customs bribery case. This development has cast a spotlight on the senior official amidst ongoing legal proceedings.
“We will observe the case until it is as clear as possible, then we will take action,” Purbaya stated at the Ministry of Finance office in Central Jakarta on Thursday (May 7). His remarks underscore a cautious approach by the ministry as they await further clarity from the unfolding legal process.
Purbaya further elaborated that the legal proceedings are currently underway, and at this stage, no immediate measures are planned, including the temporary suspension of Djaka from his current position. “No. Not (temporarily suspended), until the process there is clear. It’s just starting. His name has just surfaced; we cannot immediately suspend him,” he emphasized, highlighting the preliminary nature of the allegations.
The name of Djaka Budi Utama first appeared in the indictment of defendant John Field, owner of Blueray Cargo, concerning an alleged import bribery scheme. The indictment was read by KPK prosecutors at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Wednesday (May 6), bringing the accusations into public view.
According to the indictment, Djaka’s name was mentioned in connection with a series of alleged meetings between officials from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) and the cargo entrepreneur. These gatherings, purportedly aimed at facilitating specific import routes, are said to have taken place at the Hotel Borobudur Jakarta around July 2025. The KPK prosecutor’s indictment specifically stated: “Meetings were held between officials of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, including Djaka Budi Utama, Rizal, Sisprian Subiaksono, and Orlando Hamonangan Sianipar, with cargo entrepreneurs.”
Prosecutors further revealed that from July 2025 to January 2026, John Field, allegedly in collusion with individuals identified as Dedy and Andri, provided a total of Rp 61.3 billion in Singapore dollars to several implicated DJBC officials. Beyond monetary bribes, the officials also purportedly received entertainment facilities and luxury goods valued at Rp 1.845 billion, further detailing the extent of the alleged illicit transactions.
Summary
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has stated that Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budi Utama will not be suspended despite his name appearing in a bribery indictment. The ministry intends to monitor the legal proceedings closely before taking any formal action against the official. Purbaya emphasized that the investigation is in its preliminary stages and immediate suspension is not currently planned.
The allegations surfaced during a KPK indictment against John Field, the owner of Blueray Cargo, regarding an import bribery scheme. Prosecutors claim that Djaka and other officials participated in meetings to facilitate specific import routes and allegedly received over Rp 61 billion in bribes, along with luxury goods, between 2025 and 2026.