KPK Conducts Series of Raids in Tulungagung This Week
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will conduct a series of searches this week to seek evidence in the alleged extortion and other receipt case for the 2025-2026 fiscal year involving inactive Regent of Tulungagung, Gatut Sunu Wibowo.
“Indeed, this week investigators are carrying out search activities in stages in the Tulungagung region,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo when confirmed via written message on Thursday (16/4).
“The searches at several locations are needed by investigators to find additional evidence required in the investigation of the alleged corruption case of extortion in the Tulungagung Regency area,” he added.
Budi will provide details regarding the locations and seized evidence after the searches are completed.
“We will continue to update on the developments and results of the searches,” said Budi.
“On this occasion, the KPK also conveys appreciation and special thanks, particularly to the people of Tulungagung who continue to support the handling of this case,” he concluded.
The KPK has named Gatut and his aide, Dwi Yoga Ambal, as suspects in the alleged extortion and other receipt case for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Both have been detained at the KPK’s State Detention House.
The KPK uncovered this case through a Handcatch Operation (OTT) on 10 April 2026. The KPK revealed that Gatut’s modus operandi involved using two forms of statements to bind his subordinates.
First, a statement of resignation from position and from civil servant status if unable to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities. Second, a statement of responsibility for budget management in their respective work units.
The statement of resignation from position and civil servant status was deliberately made by Gatut without a date, and copies were not provided.
“So, we must be vigilant, do not let this pattern be imitated, bound in the form of statements. Just add a date, right? For example, when you fail, just date it then, and the statement becomes valid. This is very frightening,” said Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, at his office in Jakarta on Saturday night (11/4).
Meanwhile, for the second letter, namely the absolute responsibility statement for budget management in each Regional Work Unit (OPD), it becomes the responsibility of the heads of the OPDs. This was to allow Gatut to escape if there were findings of alleged corruption in each OPD.
“When audited, for example, the Financial Audit Board (BPK) team audits, or the Inspectorate audits, ‘Oh, why is there a sum of money taken from, say, the work in the Public Works and Public Housing Department (PUPR)’. It has been prepared with an absolute responsibility statement,” explained Asep.
“So, whatever budget occurs, for example in the PUPR Department, the department head is absolutely responsible,” he continued.
Asep stated that both letters were used by Gatut to control and pressure the officials under him. This was to ensure that the OPD leaders were loyal and followed orders from him as regent.
Those who were not ‘straight’ faced the threat of being removed from their positions or even resigning as civil servants.
“Then, GSW [Gatut] requested a sum of money from the OPD heads and other officials, either directly or through intermediary YOG (Dwi Yoga Ambal) as the Regent’s aide, with a total request of around Rp5 billion,” revealed Asep.
The requests were made to at least 16 OPDs in the Tulungagung Regency Government. The amounts varied, from Rp15 million to Rp2.8 billion.
According to Asep, these quota requests were also made by Gatut by adding or shifting budgets in several OPDs. Then, from the added budget, Gatut demanded his share of around 50 percent of the budget value, even before the budget was disbursed.
“GSW is also alleged to have been involved in arranging the procurement of goods and services by conditioning auction winners and directly appointing certain contractors in several work packages in the OPDs,” clarified Asep.