Anti-Corruption Commission Uncovers Cilacap Regent's Extortion Scheme Targeting Health Facilities for Official Bonuses
The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has uncovered extortion practices by Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman (AUL), who allegedly coerced subordinates to finance year-end bonuses for officials from the leadership coordination forum (Forkopimda).
Syamsul was arrested following a corruption sting operation after being detected issuing instructions to forcibly collect money from dozens of health and local government agencies. KPK’s Deputy for Prosecution and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, revealed that the extortion scheme originated from direct instructions by Syamsul to Cilacap’s District Secretary (Sekda), Sadmoko (SAD), specifically to gather fresh funds for holiday allowances for local officials.
In executing the scheme, Sadmoko mobilised a network of district assistants: Assistant I Sumbowo (SUM), Assistant II Ferry Adhi Dharma (FER), and Assistant III Budi Santoso (BUD). They set collection targets of between IDR75 million to IDR100 million per work unit (Satker).
Notably, public service sectors including 20 health centres and two district hospitals in Cilacap became targets of the extortion. In total, 25 local government agencies were forced to contribute to satisfy the regent’s ambitions.
The KPK investigation identified elements of intimidation in the money collection process. If local agencies failed to remit funds by the 13 March 2026 deadline, district assistants involved the Civil Service Police (Satpol PP) and the Head of Food Security Office to conduct forced collection. By the time of the sting operation, the KPK had secured a total of IDR610 million that had been collected, with individual contributions ranging from IDR3 million to IDR100 million depending on classifications set by Ferry Adhi Dharma.
The KPK designated Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman as a suspect in the extortion case involving IDR610 million from 23 government offices. Both Syamsul and District Secretary Sadmoko have been detained at KPK headquarters. According to his 2025 Asset Declaration Report (LHKPN), Syamsul has a net wealth of approximately IDR12.03 billion. A total of 13 of 27 individuals apprehended during the operation have been brought in for questioning by the KPK.