IM57+ Highlights Regional Heads Caught in Sting Operations: Office Becomes a Race to Amass Wealth
The Chair of the IM57+ Institute, Lakso Anindito, has highlighted the increasing number of regional heads caught in sting operations (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), including the recent case involving Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani. Lakso stated that the need for political financing and the motive for self-enrichment are among the drivers of corruption.
“The modus operandi used by Etik Suryani is nothing new. In the 10 sting operations that have occurred, nearly half involved extortion of subordinates,” Lakso told reporters on Saturday (11/7/2026).
Lakso explained that the collection of fees from businesspeople and the extortion of subordinates are fundamentally linked to the flow of money to the regional head. In the practice of extortion, he said, the victimised subordinates might, in turn, make cuts to the state budget or demand fees from private parties.
“This means the source could also come from fees charged to businesspeople,” he said.
He assessed that the prevalence of regional heads entangled in corruption cases is inseparable from internal and external factors. Internally, one of the motives is the need for political financing.
“In the internal context, there is the need to finance the political machine and a personal motive for self-enrichment. Regional heads actually already have adequate facilities and professional budget support,” he stated.
“However, the high political costs required to perpetuate power in the next election cycle cause regional heads to turn their term of office into a period for collecting as much money as possible, either by extorting subordinates who wish to be promoted or retain their positions,” he continued.
As for external factors, he assessed that regional heads are also in a difficult position due to pressure to meet non-budgetary funding needs from various parties.
“On one hand, there are requests for non-budgetary funds from various partner parties (in some cases, from law enforcement and auditors) as well as from higher authorities (Ministers or members of the House of Representatives in some cases) in an effort to secure budget allocations for their regions or other regional interests,” he explained.
According to him, the accumulation of these internal and external factors has transformed a regional head’s term of office into an arena for amassing as much money as possible. He said strategic steps are needed to resolve these corruption cases.
“The accumulation of these internal and external factors makes the regional head’s term of office a ‘race’ arena to collect as much money as possible during their tenure,” he said.
“Consequently, various methods are employed, including bribery, gratification, and conflicts of interest in procurement. Therefore, strategic steps must be formulated, including thoroughly exposing the ultimate beneficiaries of regional head corruption and providing clarity regarding support for non-budgetary operational funds,” he added.
Previously, Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani was caught in a KPK sting operation. The KPK revealed that the operation was related to the extortion of local government officials in Sukoharjo by Etik.
“This case concerns the alleged extortion of local government officials in Sukoharjo Regency by the regent,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Friday (10/7).
A total of nine people were brought to Jakarta by the KPK in connection with the sting operation. They were arrested in Wonogiri, Solo, and Sukoharjo.