Indonesia’s Anti-Graft Agency Raids Tax Office as Finance Minister Promises Cooperation

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has carried out a high-profile raid at the headquarters of the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) in Jakarta, deepening an investigation into alleged bribery linked to tax assessments.

The search, conducted on Tuesday (14/01/2026), targeted two key units within the tax authority and forms part of a wider sting operation into suspected efforts to manipulate tax bills through illicit payments.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa responded by stressing that his ministry would respect the legal process while continuing to provide legal assistance to tax officials implicated in the case.

Speaking to Tribun, Mr Purbaya said the Ministry of Finance would not interfere with the investigation, but would ensure that civil servants received legal accompaniment as long as they remained state employees.

“This is not intervention,” he said, adding that the case had been fully handed over to law enforcement.

Documents, devices and cash seized

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that investigators seized documents, electronic devices and cash believed to be linked to the alleged bribery scheme.

To CNBC Indonesia, Mr Prasetyo said the materials were “strongly suspected to be connected to the construction of the case”, including funds believed to have originated from suspects involved in tax examination bribery at a mid-level tax office in North Jakarta.

According to the KPK, five people have been named as suspects, including the head of the North Jakarta Mid-Level Tax Office, two senior officials under his supervision, and two representatives from the private sector, a tax consultant and a company staff member.

Investigators allege that around Rp 4bn (£200,000) was paid in bribes to reduce a company’s tax obligations.

The money was reportedly converted into Singapore dollars and handed over in cash at various locations across the Jakarta metropolitan area.

Tax authority pledges cooperation

The Directorate General of Taxes said it would fully support the investigation.

In a statement, DJP spokesperson Rosmauli said the institution respected the KPK’s actions and would remain cooperative, while leaving all substantive matters to investigators.

Possible reshuffle of tax officials

Beyond the legal process, the finance minister signalled internal consequences could follow.

Quoted by Kompas, Mr Purbaya said tax officials would be evaluated and could face reassignment or removal depending on the severity of their involvement.

“If the violation is minor, there may be rotation. But if it’s serious, rotation makes no sense,” he said, adding that sanctions would be calibrated to the level of wrongdoing.

The raid has once again highlighted persistent concerns over integrity within Indonesia’s tax system — a sensitive issue for a government seeking to boost state revenue while restoring public trust in its fiscal institutions.