KPK Confirms Kediri Customs Chief Gatot Heroe as New Suspect in Importation Bribery Case

Acting Director of KPK Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has confirmed that Gatot Heroe Hernanda as Head of the Kediri Customs Office has become a new suspect in the alleged bribery of the import of goods at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.

This statement was made by the acting (Plt) Director of KPK Investigation, Achmad Taufik Husein, in response to the confession of the boss of Blueray Cargo, John Field, after undergoing an examination as a witness to the development of the case in the Directorate General of Customs and Excise today, July 22. He said that in the investigation order (sprindik) there was indeed the name of Gatot Heroe.

Meanwhile, John Field as the boss of Blueray Cargo, admitted giving to Gatot in a hearing for alleged bribery in import at the Directorate General of Customs.

"So if it has been conveyed by the person concerned or John Field, yes, it is ... true, there is already an investigation order against the person concerned," Taufik said at a press conference at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, July 22.

Even so, Taufik has not been able to provide further details about Gatot's status because the team is still conducting an investigation to strengthen the evidence to trap the former Subdit Penindakan Directorate of P2 DJBC in 2023-February 2026.

"Indeed, the team is at the beginning of the investigation, at that time it needs additional activities, so we have not officially conveyed it," he said.

Meanwhile, for other sprindik, it is said that Taufik has no suspect names in it.

"Later we will determine the suspects after the investigation process gets enough two pieces of evidence, yes," said Taufik.

After being examined, John Field revealed that he was examined to complete the Gatot case file. He underwent an examination as a witness along with two other senior officials, namely Deddy Kurniawan Sukolo as Operations Manager and Andri as Head of the Documentation Team.

"What is it being checked for?" a reporter at the scene asked John Field.

"Witnesses, witnesses," he said.

"For whom is the suspect," asked the reporter again.

"Gatot," said John while smiling before entering the prisoner's car.

As previously reported, the KPK stated that it did not appeal the decision of the panel of judges of the Corruption Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court (PN) against the leadership of Blueray Cargo (Group).

Thus, the boss of Blueray Cargo (Group), John Field will serve a sentence of 2 years in prison and a fine of IDR 300 million with 100 days in prison.

Meanwhile, Dedy Kurniawan Sukolo as the Manager of Operational Custom Clearance at the Port at Blueray Cargo (Group) and Andri as the Head of the Import Documents Team at Blueray Cargo (Group) will serve a prison sentence of 1.5 years and will be required to pay a fine of Rp. 200 million each, in lieu of a substitute prison sentence of 80 days.

Meanwhile, for the bribe recipients, namely the Director of Enforcement and Investigation of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Rizal; the Deputy Director of Intelligence of the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation, Sisprian Subiaksono; Head of the Intelligence Section of Customs I Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation, Orlando Hamonangan; and the Officer of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Budiman Bayu Prasodjo are still undergoing trial. The process is carried out at the Jakarta Corruption Court.