KPK Describes New Extortion Tactic by Tulungagung Regent as 'Extremely Terrifying'

Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated that the extortion scheme carried out by Gatut Sunu has been ongoing for approximately four months since the heads of regional apparatus organisations (OPD) were inaugurated in December 2025. Officials in the area have expressed extreme distress over the regent’s behaviour. “So up to now, it’s been about four months. So far, they have reached the stage of extreme distress. Extremely distressed by what was conveyed or the practices carried out by Mr GSW. In the end, they couldn’t do anything because they were bound by that letter,” Asep said during a press conference at the KPK in Jakarta on Saturday (12/4/2026). He mentioned that Regent Gatut Sunu threatened to show the letter to the public as if the OPD heads were resigning. Not only from their OPD positions, but also from their civil servant (ASN) status. “If they refuse, they could be dismissed or resign on that very day. So if that letter is issued or shown to the public or society as if they themselves resigned as OPD heads, officials, and also as ASN,” Asep said. “This happens suddenly, not only as OPD heads, but resigning as ASN as well. So the threat used to bind them is actually very severe. They have reached the point of distress,” he added. The regent’s aide, Dwi Yoga Ambal (YOG), who was also named a suspect by the KPK, had a crucial role. YOG routinely collected money from OPD heads for GSW and even arranged budget usage. “So in this incident, without YOG’s role, the behaviour or criminal act by GSW could not have been realised. Because he was the one from the start who called the OPD heads to sign the letter, up to recording every part considered as debt, the money portion. So whenever the regent or the rogue regent mentioned, for example, an addition in PUPR of Rp 2 billion. That means Rp 1 billion is recorded as debt from the PUPR department head to GSW,” he said. The KPK stated that the extortion method using pre-signed resignation letters without dates by OPD heads is a new finding. The KPK described the modus as extremely terrifying. “Then, this is perhaps a little addition, so this is, as far as we know, a new finding. A new finding like this, bound by that letter. So we are also on alert, lest this pattern be imitated. Bound in the form of a statement letter, just add the date, right.” Asep said. “When you mess around, for example, then just date it, date it. The letter becomes valid, that statement letter. Like this, this is very terrifying,” he added.