Jakarta – Indonesian authorities have issued travel bans for five individuals, including prominent businessman Victor Rachmat hartono, as investigations continue into a tax corruption case perhaps involving reductions in corporate tax obligations between 2016 and 2020. The restrictions, initiated at the request of the Attorney General’s Office, impact key figures connected to both the Djarum Group conglomerate and the Ministry of Finance‘s Tax Directorate. The move signals a continued crackdown on corruption within Indonesia’s tax system, a sector that has faced scrutiny amid concerns over low revenue collection and perceived inequities [[1]], [[2]].
Jakarta, Indonesian authorities have barred Victor Rachmat Hartono, a prominent business figure, from international travel amid an investigation into a tax corruption case involving a former Director General of Taxes, Ken Dwijugiasteadi.
The travel ban, issued under Decision Number KEP 379/D/DIP 4/11/2025, affects Hartono, the ninth-generation heir of the Hartono family and current Director of PT Djarum, a major Indonesian conglomerate.
Despite the news, shares of companies linked to the Djarum Group experienced limited movement in early trading. The case underscores the Indonesian government’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption within its tax system.
PT. Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk. (TOWR), PT. Global Digital Niaga Tbk. (BELI), and PT. Solusi Tunas Pratama Tbk. (SUPR) all held steady when markets opened this morning.
However, PT. Bank Central Asia Tbk. (BBCA) saw a slight dip, falling 0.59% to Rp 8,375 per share. Conversely, PT. Supra Boga Lestari Tbk. (RANC) rose 4.95% to Rp 1,060 per share.
The Hartono family consistently ranks among the wealthiest in Indonesia, according to Forbes. Budi Hartono and Michael Hartono together hold an estimated fortune of US$37.8 billion, or Rp 630.63 trillion.
In addition to Hartono and Dwijugiasteadi, Bernadette Ning Dijah Prananingrum, Karl Layman, and Heru Budijanto Prabowo are also subject to the travel ban. The restrictions were put in place at the request of the Attorney General’s Office in connection with alleged tax corruption dating back to 2016-2020.
“The requesting agency is the Attorney General’s Office. The reason is corruption,” said Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
All five individuals were barred from leaving the country starting November 14, 2025, and the restrictions will remain in effect until May 14, 2026, according to individual decision letters KEP-380, 378, 381, 382, and 379, all dated 2025.
Earlier, the Head of the Legal Information Center of the Attorney General’s Office, Anang Supriatna, confirmed that searches had been conducted at multiple locations as part of the investigation into alleged corruption related to the reduction of corporate tax obligations between 2016 and 2020.
“This involves officials/employees of the Tax Directorate of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia,” Anang said in a text message on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Bimo Wijayanto, Director General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance, acknowledged the ongoing legal process being conducted by the Attorney General’s Office regarding the alleged tax corruption case from 2016-2020.
“Of course, in this context, we fully respect how law enforcement officials, particularly the Attorney General’s Office, are carrying out the process,” Bimo said while at the CNBC Indonesia office on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
(ayh/ayh)
