KPK Exposes Layering Scheme in Unsoed Medical Faculty Seat Sales

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has uncovered alleged transactional practices in the new student admissions process at Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) in Purwokerto. In a sting operation conducted on Thursday (20/8), the KPK detained Unsoed Rector Akhmad Sodiq along with several other individuals.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo explained that the alleged misconduct involved a layering system, or a multi-tiered mechanism, in conditioning student admissions, particularly at the Faculty of Medicine. Prospective students were allegedly asked to deposit sums of up to hundreds of millions of rupiah in order to pass the selection process.

“Regarding the alleged receipt of funds by state officials within Unsoed, this is suspected to be related to student admissions, including at the Faculty of Medicine,” Budi said at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Friday (21/8).

During the operation, which took place in the Purwokerto and Jakarta areas, investigators detained a total of 14 people. Twelve were arrested in Purwokerto and underwent initial examination at Banyumas Police Station, while two others were detained in Jakarta.

To date, nine people have been brought to the KPK’s Merah Putih Building for intensive examination. In addition to detaining the suspects, the KPK also seized evidence in the form of cash in rupiah denominations amounting to hundreds of millions.

Budi stressed that the KPK is taking this case seriously because it touches the education sector. Transactional practices at the very gateway to higher education are considered capable of damaging the character formation of the younger generation and the nation’s future.

“This means that transactions are already taking place when new students open the gates to campus. Gates that should be the archway to the nation’s aspirations and future,” Budi concluded.