National Counter Intelligence Specialist Investigates DJBC Officials Involved in Illegal Practices

ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - State counterintelligence specialist Gautama Wiranegara highlights the issue of a system that is stronger than individuals who serve in state institutions or institutions.

Gautama argues, for example, that officials who have just taken office in the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC). In a matter of days, said Gautama, suspected of being involved in illegal practices could very well be possible.

In fact, continued Gautama, this fact is one of the most surprising findings in the development of the case which is now being investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"One of the OTT suspects who was only 8 days old was immediately dragged into the vortex of a case involving a safe house, regular funding flow, and cross-departmental networks," Gautama told reporters, Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Furthermore, Gautama said, the fact cannot be read as merely a case of moral hazard or individual character weakness. He emphasized that this is a strong indicator that the system is stronger than the individual.

"In counterintelligence language, the term is that the system recruits the actor, not the other way around. That is, whoever enters the environment, whether old or new people, insiders or outsiders, will face a system that is ready to attract," he explained.

He also said that the system had created informal norms about accepted ways of working, networks that were already formed and functioning, structured incentives for participation, and protection mechanisms for anyone who was willing to participate.

"The new official who has only been in office for 8 days is not an instant corruptor. He is a victim of a system that has been alive for a long time and is ready to educate his new members," concluded Gautama.