ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has imposed travel bans on five prominent individuals linked to an alleged tax corruption scheme spanning 2016–2020, including Victor Rachmat Hartono, the Chief Executive Officer of PT Djarum, and former Director General of Taxes Ken Dwijugiasteadi.
The travel restriction—effective 14 November 2025 to 14 May 2026—was requested by the AGO to prevent the individuals from leaving the country as the investigation intensifies.
Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, confirmed that both Victor and Ken are on the list.
Three others banned from traveling abroad are Bernadette Ning Dijah Prananingrum, Heru Budijanto Prabowo, and Karl Layman, all of whom hold essential roles within Indonesia’s tax administration or companies associated with the Djarum Group.
Widespread Raids as Probe Deepens
As part of the ongoing investigation, the AGO’s Special Crimes Division conducted raids at several locations, including the residence of a former top tax official identified by the Ken Dwijugiasteadi. Additional searches were carried out at office sites relevant to the case.
AGO spokesperson Anang Supriatna said the raids were aimed at uncovering evidence related to alleged bribery practices used to reduce corporate tax liabilities.
“There were payments—bribes—given to lower tax assessments for specific purposes,” Anang confirmed on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Several witnesses have been questioned, though their identities remain undisclosed as the investigation continues.
Finance Minister Responds
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said he had not yet received an official notification from the AGO but fully supports the investigation.
He urged tax officials to continue working professionally, emphasizing that the case concerns past practices.
“Let the AGO proceed. This is a case from the past, not the current administration,” he said.
Some Directorate General of Taxes staff members have already been summoned to provide testimony on assessments made during the period under scrutiny.
Who is Victor Rachmat Hartono?
Victor Rachmat Hartono, born on 11 February 1972, is the eldest son of Indonesian tycoon Robert Budi Hartono, co-owner of the Djarum Group and one of the wealthiest individuals in Southeast Asia. Victor is widely known as the central figure steering PT Djarum’s expansion, modernization, and strategic diversification.
Education & Early Career
Victor studied at Santa Barbara City College from 1989 to 1991 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego in 1994. To strengthen his managerial capabilities, he pursued an MBA at Northwestern University, graduating in 1998.
He began his career with the Djarum Group by overseeing multiple operational and strategic functions. Since 1999, Victor has served as Director of Operations at PT Djarum.
He also holds the role of President Director of the Djarum Foundation, which oversees the group’s philanthropic and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Driving Djarum’s Diversification
Under Victor’s leadership, Djarum has significantly expanded its presence beyond tobacco. Key areas of diversification include:
Banking, through substantial ownership in PT Bank Central Asia Tbk. (BCA)
Technology investments, including early and large-scale backing of Indonesian startups
Sustainability-focused initiatives, guiding the group toward more environmentally responsible operations
Victor is also widely recognized for his support of Indonesian sports development, particularly in women’s football, where he has contributed to raising the sport’s profile and competitiveness.
One of Indonesia’s Most Significant Tax Scandals
The case has drawn national attention as it intersects with two powerful institutions: the country’s tax authority and one of Indonesia’s largest business groups, Djarum.
Allegations that corporate taxpayers paid bribes to reduce tax obligations suggest the potential exposure of one of the most significant tax scandals Indonesia has seen in the past decade.
With travel bans in effect, raids executed, and witness statements underway, the AGO is now under public pressure to dismantle what appears to be a long-standing network of tax manipulation. (AT Network)
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