Indonesia’s Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, has decisively addressed alarming findings by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding alleged bribery practices implicating employees within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. The KPK’s investigation uncovered the use of “safe houses” specifically designed to stash illicit money and gold acquired through corruption.
In response to these revelations, Minister Purbaya issued a stern warning to all his staff, urging them to resist the allure of bribery and to uphold their duties with unwavering dedication and integrity. He openly acknowledged that these findings underscore persistent and serious internal issues plaguing the Ministry of Finance.
“There are still those accepting money, they say there are safe houses, with substantial amounts of cash, three kilograms of gold, and so forth. This clearly means we are still not clean,” Purbaya stated firmly at the Ministry of Finance Office on Friday.
According to the Minister, this case serves as a critical signal that some officials within the institution still fall short of honest and professional conduct. He emphasized that this challenging situation must be seized as a crucial moment to rehabilitate the public image of Indonesia’s vital tax and customs institutions. Purbaya warned that without serious and comprehensive reform measures, similar corrupt practices are highly likely to recur, inevitably eroding public confidence in the institutions responsible for managing state revenues.
Ministry of Finance Grapples with Increasing Complexity, Urges Enhanced Oversight
Minister Purbaya further noted that the Ministry of Finance confronts an increasingly complex landscape of challenges. Consequently, he stressed that its organizational structure and human resources must consistently operate at peak performance.
“The Ministry of Finance requires officials who are ready to dedicate their intellect and energy to the nation and the state,” Purbaya declared, underscoring the critical need for committed personnel.
He insisted that such commitment must be demonstrated through tangible actions, moving beyond mere rhetoric. To accelerate the necessary improvements, Purbaya called for heightened oversight from leadership, asserting that superiors can no longer claim ignorance of transgressions committed by their subordinates. Signaling a firm stance, Purbaya hinted at potential official reshuffles if corruption is proven to permeate even one level below top leadership. He affirmed that rigorous evaluations would continue all the way to the highest echelons to foster a truly clean and accountable system.
“If suspects are truly found one level below the leadership, we will continue to replace them all the way to the top,” Purbaya asserted, highlighting his determination to root out corruption.
Beyond these systemic concerns, Purbaya also addressed the recent arrest of a customs official in a KPK sting operation (Operasi Tangkap Tangan – OTT). This official was identified as Rizal (RZL), whom Purbaya had recently inaugurated as the Head of the West Sumatra Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) on January 28, 2026.
“Yes, it’s alright. We understand there are leaks or weaknesses here and there. But if I had disclosed this beforehand, the safe house wouldn’t have been discovered,” Purbaya concluded, alluding to the secrecy essential for successful investigations.
Summary
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has uncovered “safe houses” used by Directorate General of Customs and Excise employees to stash illicit money and gold acquired through alleged bribery. Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa sternly acknowledged these findings, stating that they prove the institution “is still not clean.” He emphasized that this situation necessitates comprehensive reform to rehabilitate the public image and prevent future corruption.
Purbaya further noted the Ministry of Finance’s increasing complexities, demanding dedicated officials and heightened leadership oversight. He warned of potential reshuffles, extending to the highest echelons, if corruption among subordinates is proven. The minister also referenced the recent arrest of customs official Rizal, hinting at the crucial role of secrecy in successful anti-corruption investigations.