Golkar Clarifies: Arrested Pemalang Regent is Not a Party Cadre

Golkar Party Secretary General Muhamad Sarmuji has clarified that Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro, who was recently apprehended by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), is not a cadre of the party. Sarmuji stated that Anom, who serves for the 2025-2030 period, is a professional who was merely endorsed by Golkar during the 2024 Pemalang regional election. “The actual Golkar party cadre is the Deputy Regent of Pemalang,” he said, noting that the deputy serves as the Chair of the Golkar Party Advisory Council for Pemalang Regency. Sarmuji made these remarks following a cadre training session at the party office in Jakarta on Monday, August 3. Despite this distinction, he affirmed that Golkar remains responsible for every regional head it endorses. He added that the party consistently provides guidance, instructions, and training to prevent public officials from facing legal issues, including corruption.

The KPK has detained four suspects in connection with an alleged extortion case within the Pemalang Regency Government. Those arrested include Regent Anom Widiyantoro, his confidant Mohamad Haris, KPK administrative staff member and police officer Setya Budi Dias Oktavianto, and his father, private sector worker Lilik Budi Suprianto. The case was uncovered through a sting operation conducted in Pemalang, Purworejo, and Jakarta on Tuesday, July 28. Investigators allege that Haris, acting on Anom’s orders, collected Rp1.98 billion from various officials and private parties in Pemalang. Haris was arrested in Pemalang after collecting money, while Anom was arrested at a hotel in Jakarta. The previous day, a meeting allegedly took place in Semarang involving Anom, Haris, and Lilik to hand over Rp1.2 billion to manage a case at the KPK. Following the handover, Lilik was arrested at his home in Purworejo with the money. In total, the KPK secured evidence valued at approximately Rp2.7 billion during the operation.