Central Java Governor Monitors Legal Process of Sukoharjo Regent

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has stated that his administration has not yet appointed an acting regent for Sukoharjo, following the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) decision to name Regent Etik Suryani as a suspect. Luthfi explained that the appointment of an acting regent will be carried out with great care and must comply with the prevailing laws and regulations. The Central Java Provincial Government is currently monitoring the progress of the legal process at the anti-graft agency. The statement was made by Luthfi on the sidelines of the 27th Anniversary Celebration of the Retired Police Officers Association (Purnawirawan Polri) Batang Branch on Saturday, 11 July 2026. Despite the regional leadership being under legal scrutiny, he assured the people of Sukoharjo that the bureaucracy would continue to function. The Governor stressed that governance in Sukoharjo Regency would not be paralysed and that public services would continue to operate normally without significant disruption due to the legal case involving the regent. ‘The Central Java Provincial Government continues to monitor the development of the case while preparing strategic measures so that services to the public are not disrupted,’ Luthfi said. Mitigation efforts are being prepared by the Central Java Provincial Government to ensure administrative functions in Sukoharjo remain under control during this legal transition period. On the same occasion, Ahmad Luthfi expressed his full support for the KPK’s efforts to eradicate corruption in Central Java. He stated that firm action through sting operations is an important part of creating clean governance. ‘In principle, with the sting operation carried out by the KPK, we support it in order to create a clean and principled government,’ he stressed. He added that law enforcement with integrity is the main foundation for building public trust in regional government. As of the time of reporting, the Central Java Provincial Government is still awaiting further coordination regarding the definitive legal status in order to take the next administrative steps concerning the leadership in Sukoharjo Regency. The KPK has named the Sukoharjo Regent and two other officials as suspects in an alleged extortion case, with evidence including cash, foreign currency, and gold.