Cilacap Regent Becomes Suspect in Eid Allowance Extortion Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) officially designated Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman as a suspect in an extortion case involving demands for Eid holiday allowances (THR) for 2026 on Saturday (14 March), following his arrest during a sting operation on Friday (13 March).
Syamsul was designated as a suspect alongside Regional Secretary (Sekda) Sadmoko Danardono. “The KPK has escalated this case to the investigation stage and designated two suspects: Syamsul Auliya Rachman (AUL), serving as Cilacap Regent for the 2025-2030 period, and Sadmoko Danardono (SAD), serving as Regional Secretary of Cilacap Regency,” stated Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Execution at KPK headquarters in Jakarta.
EXTORTION TARGET
The KPK revealed that Syamsul demanded Eid allowance payments from each regional agency in Cilacap Regency with a collection target of IDR 750 million. The demand targeted 25 regional agencies, two District General Hospitals (RSUD), and 20 health centres.
According to Asep Guntur Rahayu, Syamsul initially discussed the external Eid allowance requirement of IDR 515 million with Cilacap’s Regional Secretary Sadmoko Danardono and several county assistants. “To meet these needs, three county assistants requested funds from each regional agency in Cilacap Regency with a collection target of IDR 750 million,” Asep stated during a press conference at KPK headquarters on Saturday (14 March).
FUNDS COLLECTED
The KPK revealed that the demand for Eid allowance payments had already collected IDR 610 million of the IDR 750 million target at the time of the sting operation. The funds came from 23 regional agencies within Cilacap Regency. “During the period of 9-13 March 2025, 23 regional agencies in Cilacap Regency deposited the regent’s demands, which were collected through one of the assistants, totalling IDR 610 million,” said Asep.
EXTORTION SINCE 2025
The KPK revealed that Syamsul’s extortion of Eid allowances had actually been occurring since last year’s Eid celebration. This emerged during intensive questioning following Syamsul’s arrest during the sting operation. “These Eid allowance demands were not only for the 2026 holiday, but also occurred in 2025,” Asep stated.
THREATS OF REASSIGNMENT
Syamsul allegedly threatened to reassign department heads if they failed to submit the designated Eid allowance payments. This emerged after the KPK conducted intensive questioning of witnesses. “Several witnesses from 13 agencies indicated there were concerns that if they failed to meet the demands from the regent, they would be reassigned,” said Asep.
PROJECT CORRUPTION INVOLVEMENT
The KPK initially conducted the sting operation following allegations that Syamsul had received or accepted project fees from projects within Cilacap Regency. “This relates to alleged projects in Cilacap Regency,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists on Friday (13 March).
During the operation, the KPK secured hundreds of millions of rupiah in cash. In addition to cash, evidence secured included documents and electronic devices.