Hierarchy of Tribute in Sukoharjo: Regent Extorts, Subordinates Mark Up Projects

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani and two of her subordinates as suspects in an extortion case. The KPK revealed that Etik’s subordinates created fictitious expenditures and marked up projects to fulfil tribute payments.

The case began with a sting operation targeting 18 individuals in Sukoharjo, Solo, and Wonogiri. The KPK subsequently named three suspects: Etik Suryani, Regent of Sukoharjo for the 2025-2030 period; Richard Tri Handoko, Head of the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) of Sukoharjo Regency; and Tri Mulyo, Head of the General Affairs Division of the Sukoharjo Regency Regional Secretariat.

The KPK suspects that Etik ordered Richard to collect 40 per cent of the wage levy incentives from BPKAD employees. The money was then handed over to her. The KPK suspects that Etik’s actions continued the practices of her husband, Wardoyo Wijaya, who served as Regent of Sukoharjo for two terms, from 2010-2015 and 2016-2021.

“During the 2021-2026 period, the total wage levy deposits received by ETS are known to have reached IDR 2.93 billion,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu during a press conference at the KPK building on Saturday (11/7).

Furthermore, Etik is also suspected of requesting routine deposits from regional apparatus organisations (OPD) through Tri Mulyo. This extortion scheme involving routine OPD deposits is suspected to be a ‘legacy’ from her husband’s era.

The KPK suspects that Tri Mulyo collected deposits from agency heads annually and during the holiday bonus period. Tri Mulyo is also suspected of handing over money derived from mark-ups and fictitious expenditures.

“On ETS’s orders, TRM collected deposits from the OPDs annually and during the THR momentum. In addition, TRM is also suspected of providing deposits originating from fictitious expenditure receipts and procurement mark-ups in the General Affairs Division of the Sukoharjo Regency Government. Investigators will further probe this information,” he stated.

In total, Etik allegedly received IDR 840 million from routine OPD deposits via Tri Mulyo, the Head of General Affairs at the Sukoharjo Regional Secretariat, and IDR 1.2 billion from routine deposits via Richard Tri Handoko, the Head of BPKAD.