KPK Seizes US$ 530,000 from a Witness of Alleged Bribery of KPP Banjarmasin Tax Restitution

KPK spokesperson, Budi Prasetyo/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) seized 530,000 US dollars (USD) in the process of developing an investigation into alleged bribery in tax management at the Banjarmasin Tax Service Office (KPP), South Kalimantan. This forced effort was carried out after one of the witnesses returned the money.

"At the examination, the witness in question returned a sum of money in the form of foreign exchange, foreign exchange worth 530,000 US dollars," said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters at the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, August 5.

Budi said the money was obtained by the witness from the taxpayer. If it is converted into rupiah, the value reaches Rp. 9.5 billion at the current exchange rate.

"That in his statement, the money received came from a taxpayer who then the investigators confiscated," he said.

"Of course, from the money equivalent to around Rp. 9.5 billion, investigators will certainly still conduct an in-depth investigation related to the tasks carried out by the Directorate General of Taxes, especially at the Banjarmasin Sub-Directorate," he continued.

Budi also revealed that investigators confiscated money from tax officials in the Bandung area last week. The value reached Rp2 billion or 110,000 US dollars.

"This will certainly be further investigated and needs to be confirmed by the parties to explain the money in the possession of the tax officer," he said.

As previously reported, the KPK developed allegations of bribery in tax management at the Banjarmasin Tax Service Office (KPP), South Kalimantan. A preliminary investigation order (sprindik) has been issued but there are no suspects.

This case was revealed after the KPK carried out a hand-in-hand operation (OTT) in February 2026. Three people were suspects, namely Mulyono as the former Head of the Banjarmasin Deputy KPP; tax employee Dian Jaya Demega (DJD) and Financial Manager of PT Buana Karya Bhakti Venasius Jenarus Genggor (VNZ).

During the press conference for the determination and detention of the suspects, the KPK revealed that this case began with a request for money as a form of appreciation related to the management of the value-added tax (PPN) restitution belonging to PT Buana Karya Bhakti.

The company is known to have filed a VAT refund for the 2024 tax year with a status of overpayment. The value reached IDR 49.47 billion based on the results of the Banjarmasin Deputy KPP inspection.

Then, after a fiscal correction of Rp1.14 billion, the approved restitution value became around Rp48.3 billion.