KPK Arrests West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini in 17th Sting Operation of 2026
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation (OTT) against West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini on Monday (20/7). KPK Deputy Chairperson Fitroh Rohcahyanto confirmed the arrest when asked for information in Jakarta. “Correct,” said Fitroh.
The action against Lalu Ahmad Zaini is recorded as the 17th sting operation carried out by the KPK throughout 2026. Under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the KPK has a 1x24 hour time limit to determine the legal status of all parties detained in the operation.
Previously, the KPK’s series of OTTs in 2026 began on 9-10 January with the detention of eight people. That case related to alleged bribery in tax audits at the North Jakarta Medium Tax Office (KPP Madya Jakarta Utara), Directorate General of Taxes, Ministry of Finance, for the 2021-2026 period. Still in January 2026, the KPK again held a sting operation that ensnared Madiun Mayor Maidi in the second OTT. Subsequently, Pati Regent Sudewo was arrested in the third OTT.
Entering February 2026, the KPK detained the Head of KPP Madya Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, in the fourth OTT. In the same month, the anti-corruption agency also arrested the former Director of Enforcement and Investigation at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance, Rizal, who was then serving as Head of the Customs and Excise Regional Office for Western Sumatra. That action was the fifth OTT. Additionally, the sixth OTT was carried out against Depok District Court Chief I Wayan Eka Mariarta along with Depok District Court Deputy Chief Bambang Setyawan.
During March 2026, which coincided with the month of Ramadan, the KPK again conducted a number of separate sting operations. In that period, Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq, Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, and Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman were arrested in different OTTs. In April 2026, the KPK continued enforcement by arresting Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo in the 10th OTT. Meanwhile, throughout May 2026, no sting operations were conducted by the agency.
Entering June 2026, the KPK again held an OTT that prompted Deputy Minister of Immigration and Corrections Silmy Karim to surrender himself. Still in the same month, the KPK arrested Muara Enim Regent Edison in the 12th OTT. Subsequently, the 13th OTT targeted a civil servant (ASN) of the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK RI) as a follow-up to a previous operation. The 14th OTT saw Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby choose to surrender himself to the KPK.
In July 2026, the KPK first conducted an OTT against Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, familiarly known as Ondim, in the 15th operation. After that, Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani was detained in the 16th OTT. With the arrest of Lalu Ahmad Zaini on Monday (20/7), the number of sting operations carried out by the KPK throughout 2026 has increased to 17 cases. The KPK now still has time in accordance with KUHAP provisions to determine the legal status of the parties detained in the operation.