Home Affairs Ministry Expresses Concern Over Three Regents Caught in KPK Sting Operations Within a Month

The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) has expressed its concern over the number of regional heads caught in Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) sting operations. The latest case involves Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani, who was arrested by the KPK. “This sort of incident has happened several times now. This month alone there have been three: Langkat, Kuantan Singingi, and Mrs Etik. We at the Ministry of Home Affairs are very concerned that such incidents are recurring,” said Head of the Ministry’s Information Centre, Benni Irwan, when contacted on Sunday (12/7/2026). Benni stated that the Ministry respects the legal process underway at the KPK. He expressed hope that other regional heads would take valuable lessons from this series of events. “We at the Ministry of Home Affairs fully respect the legal process. We all must respect the ongoing legal process for every regional head affected by these sting operations,” he said. “We at the Ministry very much hope this does not happen again. Hopefully, this can serve as a lesson for other regional heads,” he added. Benni explained that once a regional head is officially named a suspect and detained, the deputy will immediately be appointed as acting regional head. This swift measure is taken to ensure that government administration and regional development continue to run smoothly. “To ensure the wheels of government keep turning, the development process in Sukoharjo must also proceed according to the applicable regulations. Once the regional head is declared a suspect and detained, the deputy regional head will carry out the duties of the regional head (Acting Regent of Sukoharjo),” he clarified. Previously, the KPK named Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani as a suspect in an alleged extortion case within the Sukoharjo Regency Government. In addition to the regent, the KPK also named two of her subordinates as suspects. “The KPK has elevated the alleged corruption case related to extortion in the Sukoharjo Regency Government to the investigation stage and named three individuals as suspects,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu during a press conference on Saturday (11/7). The three individuals named as suspects by the KPK are: 1. Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani, 2. Head of the Sukoharjo Regency Government’s Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD), Richard Tri Handoko, and 3. Head of General Affairs at the Sukoharjo Regency Secretariat, Tri Mulyo.