JAKARTA - Indonesia Audit Watch (IAW) assessed the admission of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the existence of "other forwarders" in the case of alleged bribery in the Customs environment strengthened the allegation that corruption practices in the customs sector could not involve only one company.
Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, previously said that investigators were investigating the involvement of other forwarders outside the parties who had been determined in the case.
For IAW, the statement also corrected the initial narrative which was considered awkward.
"Until now, the public has been asked to believe that practices involving many ASN across levels, safe houses, and flows of billions of rupiah per month are driven by only one company. Logically, business and bureaucratic experience, it doesn't make sense," said IAW Founding Secretary Iskandar Sitorus, Wednesday, February 11.
According to him, corruption in the port is not an individual or incidental case, but a systemic problem. The history of customs supervision shows a recurring pattern in the form of structural gaps, weak control, and a permissive culture in the field.
"The problem is not one rogue importer, but a system that gives room for many players," he said.
Iskandar assessed that in such an ecosystem, bribes turn into a market mechanism. The acceleration channel for services can be traded and become a business commodity.
"If there is a 'special lane' that can be bought, it will be marketed. Forwarders who obey the rules are eliminated, those who dare to play are actually benefited," he said.
IAW reminded that the logistics and customs market is worth trillions of rupiah so it is impossible to involve only one actor. Therefore, the recognition of "other forwarders" should be the entrance to dismantling the network, not just adding suspects.
"If you stop at one or two names, it's just a rotation of players. The system is still intact," he said.
IAW encourages the KPK to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the flow of funds, map the pattern of imports, and identify parties who often receive special treatment, such as green lanes or minimal physical inspections.
"If the pattern is systematic, it means that this is no longer an individual matter, but a system design," said Iskandar.
According to him, eradicating corruption can be achieved in two ways, namely by arresting the perpetrators one by one or by correcting the system that gives birth to the practice.
"The public does not need the sensation of arrest. The public needs certainty that the law is able to penetrate the dark economic network that has long been left alone," he said.
IAW hopes that the KPK will use the findings of "other forwarders" as an opportunity to thoroughly clean up the customs sector and strengthen supervision so that similar practices do not continue to occur.
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