Iskandar Sitorus Denies Obstruction of Justice in the John Field Case

JAKARTA - The Founding Secretary of the Indonesian Audit Watch (IAW) Iskandar HP Sitorus denied allegations linking him to alleged obstruction of investigation or obstruction of justice in the case of alleged import bribes that dragged Blueray Cargo owner John Field. He claimed to have helped the communication process until John Field's surrender to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

John Field was once unknown when the KPK held a hand-in-hand operation (OTT) some time ago.

"I actually helped the communication process that led to John Field's surrender to the KPK. If someone accuses me of obstructing the investigation, I ask, where is the obstacle," Iskandar told reporters quoted on Monday, June 14.

Iskandar explained that his involvement began with a Special Power of Attorney given by John Field after the KPK's hand-in-hand operation (OTT) in early February 2026. However, the power is said to only relate to non-litigation issues of the company.

According to him, the tasks carried out include handling industrial relations, resolving customer complaints, improving company administration, to maintaining the sustainability of Blue Ray Cargo operations, which were then under great pressure.

"I am not the legal counsel for the defendant. I received the power to help non-litigation issues and the rescue of the company's administration, which at that time was practically in chaos," he said.

He said that the post-OTT condition of the company had affected thousands of workers and business activities were threatened to stop. Therefore, he tried to help ensure that the company's obligations to workers and customers continued.

Iskandar also revealed his involvement in the process of John Field's surrender to KPK investigators. He admitted that he was around the Red and White KPK building with John Field's family and legal advisers until dawn on February 7, 2026.

"We waited for hours until dawn. I even helped with communication and coordination so that the surrender process went smoothly," he explained.

According to Iskandar, the fact that John Field finally surrendered voluntarily shows that there was no attempt to hinder the legal process.

"If my intention is to hinder the investigation, of course I will not be around the KPK building until the early hours of the morning to help the process of surrendering someone who is being sought by investigators," he said.

He also alluded to his examination as a witness by the KPK on June 12, 2026. During the examination, which lasted about five hours, Iskandar admitted that he provided all the information he knew about the company's post-hand-capture operation.

In addition, investigators are said to have asked for explanations regarding a number of company data and documents that were successfully collected after the management vacancy at PT Blueray Cargo.

"I convey what I know. If there are additional documents that are needed by investigators, I am ready to help as long as it is in accordance with the law," he explained.

Iskandar assessed that the obstruction of investigation allegations must be measured based on facts and evidence, not assumptions or professional closeness to the parties in the case.

"In a legal state, the main measure is simple. Is there any real action that hinders the investigation? Does the legal process stop? The fact is not. The investigation is ongoing, the suspects are detained, the files are transferred, and the trial is ongoing," he said.

Therefore, he reminded the importance of distinguishing between legitimate professional activities and actions that actually meet the elements of criminal obstruction of investigation.

"Don't let people who help organize the company's administration, help workers, or provide information to investigators be perceived as obstacles to the legal process. Everything must be measured by facts and evidence, not perception," he said.

As previously reported, the KPK announced six suspects related to alleged bribes and gratuities related to the import of goods at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise after conducting a hand-in-hand operation (OTT) on February 4. One of them is the Director of Enforcement and Investigation of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (P2 DJBC) for the period 2024-2026, Rizal.

In addition to Rizal, the KPK also named five other suspects. They are Sisprian Subiaksono (SIS) as Head of the Subdirectorate of Intelligence, Enforcement and Investigation of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Kasubdit Intel P2 DJBC); Orlando Hamonangan (ORL) as Head of the Intelligence Section of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Kasi Intel DJBC); John Field (JF) as owner of PT Blueray (BR); Andri as Head of the Import Documents Team of PT BR; and Dedy Kurniawan as Operational Manager of PT BR.

The KPK suspects that this case began in October 2025 when Orlando Hamonangan and Sisprian Subiaksono together with John Field, Andri, and Dedy Kurniawan committed a conspiracy. They arranged the planning of the import route of goods that would enter Indonesia.

Furthermore, the KPK announced the Head of the Tax Intelligence Section for Enforcement and Investigation (P2) of the Directorate General of Customs (DJBC) Budiman Bayu Prasojo (BBP) as a new suspect in the case of alleged gratification related to the import of goods. The arrest was then carried out at the DJBC headquarters in East Jakarta on Thursday, February 26.

Budiman was arrested for allegedly receiving and managing money from entrepreneurs whose products were subject to taxes and importers since November 2024. As a result of his actions, he is suspected of violating Article 12 B of Law No. 31 of 1999 jo. UU No. 20 of 2001 jo. Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP).