Hierarchy and responsibility
Rizal, the former director of Investigation and Enforcement (P2) at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, disputed the reasoning that all actions by subordinates could be attributed to their leader. He said subdirectors, section heads and staff members below him each had legally defined responsibilities.
In his account, a command system provides direction and guidance for personnel, much as hierarchies do in other organizations under different names. He said some Customs personnel routinely use "ndan," a shortened form of "commander," when addressing their superiors.
Rizal said the approach begins during Customs training but should not be treated as equivalent to military or police rules. He described its purpose as teaching discipline, cooperation and consistent compliance with regulations.
The terminology had surfaced in earlier testimony by former Customs intelligence chief Budiman Bayu Prasojo, who described the P2 Directorate's culture as command-oriented. Budiman said Sisprian Subiaksono was commonly addressed as "Ndan," while personnel sometimes addressed Rizal as "Ndan" or "Mr. Director."
Payment allegations and Rizal's denials
Detik.com reported that Rizal also used his October 30 plea to deny receiving Rp14 billion from Blueray Cargo. He said co-defendant Orlando Hamonangan's testimony about that payment was a lie and had repeatedly changed. Rizal separately denied ever using the Special Operational Fund for Safeguarding State Revenue (DOKPPN) for personal purposes.
Rizal is being tried alongside Sisprian, the former head of the Subdirectorate of Customs Intelligence and Enforcement, and Orlando, a former Customs intelligence officer.
According to prosecutors, as reported by Tirto.id, the three received portions of bribes totaling Rp61.74 billion, paid in Singapore dollars, as well as Rp1.85 billion in entertainment and luxury goods. Prosecutors allege that John Field, Dedi Kurniawan Sukolo and Andri provided the payments and benefits between July 2025 and January 2026. They put Rizal's share at Rp14 billion and Sisprian's at Rp7 billion.
Tirto.id also reported prosecutors' allegation that the three defendants, together with Budiman, received gratification from importers and cigarette entrepreneurs totaling Rp7.52 billion, S$314,755, US$182,800, HK$4,700 and RM8,100.
Meeting and investigation
Prosecutors say Field began making payments in Singapore dollars after a July 2025 meeting at Hotel Borobudur. According to Tirto.id, they said Rizal initiated the meeting, which Customs Director General Djaka Budi Utama attended along with cargo entrepreneurs. WhatsApp messages from Sisprian indicated that it had been arranged without the knowledge of the finance minister or the public relations department.
The case grew out of a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) sting operation within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise on February 4, 2026, prosecutors said, according to Tirto.id.
In an earlier verdict hearing involving Field, the court put the total flow of money from Blueray to Customs officials at Rp91.77 billion. Tirto.id reported that Field received a two-year prison sentence, compared with the three years prosecutors had requested.
Prison terms and restitution sought
KPK prosecutors presented their sentencing request for Rizal on October 16, 2026. They sought 11 years and six months in prison, a Rp1 billion fine with an alternative term of 190 days, and Rp15.7 billion in restitution, Tirto.id reported.
Under that request, Rizal would have to pay restitution within one month after the verdict became legally binding. Failure to pay would trigger the seizure and auction of his assets. If the proceeds did not cover the amount, prosecutors requested an additional four years in prison.
For Sisprian, prosecutors sought a 10-year prison term and a Rp1 billion fine, also with an alternative term of 190 days. Their restitution request for him totaled Rp7.4 billion, S$150,000 and US$10,000, according to Tirto.id.
