KPK Discovers Auto-Delete Message Feature on Phones of Pemalang Case Suspects

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has uncovered new facts in the investigation of an alleged extortion case within the Pemalang Regency Government. Investigators discovered the use of an automatic disappearing message feature (timer) in conversations between suspect Setya Budi Dias (DIS) and his father, Lilik Budi Suprianto (LBS).

The Acting Director of Investigations at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, explained that this finding was made after the team conducted an in-depth analysis of mobile phones seized as electronic evidence. “From the conversations between DIS, as the son, and LBS, the team found and analysed within the phone that they were always using a ‘timer’,” Taufik stated at the KPK Red and White Building, Jakarta, on Friday (31/7/2026).

This feature allows messages in a conversation to be automatically deleted after a specific period. Taufik noted that the use of an automatic message deletion feature in communications between a child and a parent is highly unusual. The investigators’ suspicions were further strengthened because, based on the analysis results, suspect Setya Budi Dias did not use similar features when communicating with other parties. “Investigators view the use of this feature as suspicious,” he added.

The case originated from the 18th Sting Operation (OTT) conducted by the KPK throughout 2026, on 28 July. During the operation, the KPK detained 21 individuals, including the Regent of Pemalang, Anom Widiyantoro.

The KPK is continuing to delve into other electronic evidence to strengthen the legal construction of the case, particularly regarding communications that were intentionally deleted using the timer feature.