Inactive Cilacap Regent Faces Seven-Year Prison Sentence as Prosecutors Reveal IDR 568 Million Eid Bonus Scandal

Semarang, VIVA – The inactive Regent of Cilacap, Syamsul Auliya Rachman, has been sentenced to seven years in prison in connection with the alleged extortion of several heads of regional apparatus organisations (OPD) to fund Eid al-Fitr (THR) allowances.

The indictment was read by the Public Prosecutor from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Ahmad Hidayt Nurdin, during a trial at the Semarang Corruption Court on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

“Declaring the defendant guilty of violating Article 12 letter e of Law Number 31 of 1999, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the eradication of criminal acts of corruption,” said Ahmad during the trial presided over by Chief Judge Rosana Irawati.

In addition to the prison sentence, the prosecutor is demanding that Syamsul pay a fine of IDR 400 million. If the fine is not paid, the penalty will be replaced by 120 days of imprisonment.

In the indictment, prosecutors revealed that Syamsul allegedly instructed the Regional Secretary of Cilacap Regency, Danardono, to prepare a sum of money intended as Eid bonuses for members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) during Lebaran.

The funds were collected from the heads of various regional organisations (OPD). The total amount collected reached IDR 568 million. Prosecutors stated that the money was subsequently placed in gift bags.

Each gift bag was coded according to the specific Forkopimda official designated as the recipient. The recipients mentioned in the prosecution’s indictment include the Police Chief, the District Military Commander, the Navy Base Commander, various police unit heads, the District Attorney, prosecutors, as well as the heads of the Religious Court and District Court.

The prosecutor assessed that Syamsul is legally liable for receiving the money because the entire fund was under his control.

“The defendant knew of and authorised the receipt of this money,” he stated during the trial.

In considering the indictment, prosecutors also noted several aggravating factors against Syamsul. One of these is that the defendant’s actions were deemed to undermine government programmes for corruption eradication.

“The defendant was not forthcoming. The defendant was evasive in providing testimony,” the prosecutor added.

In addition to the prison sentence and fine, the KPK Public Prosecutor has requested that the panel of judges impose an additional penalty: the revocation of the defendant’s right to be elected to political office for a period of three years.

Following the indictment, the panel of judges granted Syamsul the opportunity to present his defence in the next trial session.