KPK Arrests Cilacap Regent as Third Sting Operation in Ramadan 1447
The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman in a sting operation (OTT) on Friday (13 March 2026). This represents the ninth OTT conducted in 2026 and the third such arrest during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.
KPK Deputy Chairman Fitroh Rochayanto confirmed the arrest from Jakarta. Under the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the KPK has 1 × 24 hours to determine the status of the arrested individual, including the regent who serves as a regional head in Central Java Province.
This arrest follows eight previous operations conducted by the KPK in 2026:
The first OTT, held on 9-10 January 2026, resulted in the arrest of eight persons suspected of bribery in tax examinations at the Office of the Large Taxpayer Service in North Jakarta, under the Directorate General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance, covering the period 2021-2026.
The second OTT, on 19 January 2026, led to the arrest of Madiun City Mayor Maidi. The KPK announced on 20 January 2026 that Maidi was named a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving extortion with a modus operandi of project rewards and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds and other gratifications in Madiun City, East Java.
The third OTT, also on 19 January 2026, resulted in the arrest of Pati Regent Sudewo. On 20 January 2026, the KPK announced that Sudewo was named a suspect in alleged extortion related to the appointment of village officials in Pati Regency, Central Java.
The fourth OTT, on 4 February 2026, targeted the Large Taxpayer Service in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, relating to a tax restitution process.
The fifth OTT, announced on 4 February 2026, concerned the importation of counterfeit or imitation goods. One of those arrested was Rizal, former Director of Enforcement and Investigation at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Ministry of Finance), who was serving as Head of the West Sumatra Regional Customs Office.
The sixth OTT, revealed on 5 February 2026, involved allegations of corruption in the management of a land dispute of 6,500 square metres at the Depok District Court in West Java. The KPK named Depok District Court I Chairman I Wayan Eka Mariarta, Depok District Court Vice-Chairman Bambang Setyawan, and the Managing Director of PT Karabha Digdaya (a finance ministry subsidiary) as suspects.
The seventh OTT was announced on 3 March 2026, during Ramadan. The KPK named Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq as a sole suspect in an alleged corruption case involving procurement of outsourcing or labour subcontracting services and other procurement in Pekalongan Regency for the 2023-2026 budget year.
The eighth OTT, also during Ramadan, saw the KPK arrest Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Rejang Lebong Regent, on 10 March 2026, naming him as a suspect in alleged bribery related to project awards in Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu, for the 2025-2026 budget year.