Indonesia's KPK defends raids, backs customs bribery verdict

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the raids carried out in the hajj‑quota corruption investigation were performed according to applicable regulations, professionally and meeting both material and formal legal requirements. The suspect, Asrul Azis Taba, filed a pre‑trial motion challenging the search, which KPK respected while emphasizing the necessity of the raid for gathering evidence.

In a separate case, KPK welcomed the Jakarta Central District Court’s verdict convicting John Field and two other officials for bribery involving the Customs and Excise. The court sentenced Field to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 300 million rupiah, with subsidiary penalties, and also sentenced the two additional defendants. KPK highlighted the ruling as proof of judicial independence and reiterated the need for comprehensive anti‑corruption measures across both public officials and private actors.