Djarum Boss and Ex-Tax Director Barred from Travel Amid Bribery Investigation
Travel Ban Imposed on Djarum CEO and Former Tax Chief Amid Corruption Probe
The Indonesian Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has issued an overseas travel ban against PT Djarum President Director, Victor Rachmat Hartono, and the former Director General of Taxes, Ken Dwijugiasteadi. This restrictive measure is part of an escalating investigation into alleged bribery and tax irregularities.
Scope of the Investigation
Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, confirmed that the ban applies to five individuals in total. Alongside Victor Hartono—a ninth-generation member of the prominent Hartono family—and Ken Dwijugiasteadi, the watchlist includes Bernadette Ning Dijah Prananingrum, Karl Layman, and Heru Budijanto Prabowo.
The prevention order is effective for six months, spanning from November 14, 2025, to May 14, 2026. The ban was enacted following a formal request from the AGO, citing corruption allegations as the primary justification.
The Alleged Scheme: Tax Amnesty Irregularities
The AGO is currently probing a bribery scheme involving tax officials allegedly committed between 2016 and 2020. The investigation is reportedly linked to the implementation of the Tax Amnesty program—a government initiative intended to repatriate assets and boost state revenue by pardoning past tax evasions in exchange for a penalty fee.
While the AGO has yet to release a comprehensive case reconstruction regarding how the alleged fraud was executed, investigators have already conducted raids at several locations to gather evidence.
Government Response
Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, addressed the issue following a press conference on the State Budget (APBN KITA) on Thursday (Nov 20, 2025). While acknowledging the ban, Purbaya stated he had not received a formal dossier from the Attorney General but emphasized his full respect for the ongoing legal proceedings.
"This case appears to stem from the Tax Amnesty period. There may have been inaccurate assessments made at that time, though I cannot speak to the specifics. We will defer to the Attorney General to provide a full explanation to the media," Purbaya remarked.
He confirmed that several Ministry of Finance employees have been summoned by the AGO to provide testimony and clarify the events of that period. However, Purbaya firmly distanced his current administration from the scandal.
"To be clear, these events occurred in the past, not under the current administration. I cannot comment on the strength of the evidence, but we must let the prosecution process run its course," he asserted, adding that this investigation should serve as a stern warning for officials to maintain integrity.