KPK Finds Circular on Independent Admission Pathway During Search in Unsoed Rector Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a series of searches related to the extortion case involving the independent admission pathway that has ensnared the Rector of Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed), Akhmad Sodiq. During the search of the Rectorate office, investigators found a letter issued by the KPK regarding improvements to the new student admission process via the independent pathway.
KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the searches were carried out over two days, from Sunday to Monday, 23-24 August 2026. The searches were conducted at the homes of the suspects in the case as well as the Unsoed Rectorate office.
“During the search at the Rectorate, investigators also found a 2023 KPK circular addressed to all state universities, state Islamic religious universities, and state polytechnics regarding recommendations for improving the new student admission process via the independent pathway,” Budi told reporters on Monday (24/8/2026).
Budi explained that in the circular, the KPK encouraged improvements in transparency from the outset and throughout the entire independent admission process. The arrest of Rector Akhmad Sodiq thus became an irony in itself.
“In the circular, the KPK encouraged improvements in transparency from the outset and throughout the entire process, regarding admission quotas, graduation criteria for prospective students, affirmative action policies, institutional development contributions, digitalisation of the admission process, determination of graduation, and complaint channels,” Budi explained.
In addition to finding the KPK circular, investigators seized several notes, documents, and other electronic evidence related to alleged deposits and conditioning of new student admissions via the independent pathway. The evidence will be examined further by investigators.
It is known that the Rector of Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed), Akhmad Sodiq, and five other individuals have been named as suspects in a case of extortion and gratification related to the admission of new students through the independent selection pathway. The KPK revealed that there are three clusters in this case.
In this case, the KPK has named six suspects. They are:
Ahmad Sodiq as Rector of Unsoed
Norman Arie Prayoga as Vice Rector III of Unsoed
Eko Sumanto as Head of Academic Affairs at Unsoed
Dian Mulia Wardhana as a private party
Adhi Wiharto as a private party
Mulyono as a private party
First Cluster: Extortion
In August 2026, Norman, as Vice Rector with Sodiq’s knowledge, ordered two intermediaries, Dian Mulia Wardhana and Adhi Wiharto, to set a price of Rp 650 million for parents who wanted their children to pass the independent pathway selection for the Faculty of Medicine.
“Both of them, as private parties, allegedly requested money from parents of prospective new students at the Faculty of Medicine amounting to Rp 650 million,” explained Taufik.
The request was fulfilled by the parents of the prospective new students. However, instead of passing, the child of the parents who had paid did not pass the selection.
Unwilling to accept this, the parents of the prospective new student asked for their money back. However, Dian and Adhi could not return the Rp 650 million because it had already been used.
“So it means the money that had been given by the parents had already been used by DMW and AW themselves,” added Taufik.
Both of them then informed Vice Rector Norman about this. Subsequently, Norman, with the permission of Rector Akhmad Sodiq, borrowed money from a private party to return the funds.
To the private party, Norman, with Sodiq’s knowledge, promised repayment of the loan by paying through the disbursement of three project packages within Unsoed. The projects included the procurement of canopies, renovation of the canteen, and painting of buildings.
“To return the money from the loan to the private party, NAP through DMW, AW, and MYN as a private party and also ASO’s nephew, promised to pay through the disbursement of three project packages within Unsoed, namely the procurement of canopies, renovation of the canteen, and painting of buildings,” said Taufik.
Second Cluster: Gratification 2025-2026
The second cluster relates to gratification in the new student admission selection for 2025-2026. Here, Sodiq gave instructions to his nephew, Mulyono, with the code ‘do not ask for it upfront, if given, say thank you’.
With Sodiq’s knowledge, Mulyono received Rp 680 million. Sodiq also ordered Mulyono to pay for the purchase of three plots of land, which were registered under Mulyono’s name.
“In the new student admission selection for 2025 and 2026 via the independent pathway, ASO gave instructions to MYN with the code ‘do not ask for it upfront, if given, say thank you’,” said Taufik.
“For this, MYN, with ASO’s knowledge, allegedly received other payments/gratification in the form of money amounting to at least Rp 680 million,” he continued.
Third Cluster: Dowry
The third cluster concerns dowry bargaining that occurred in the same year, 2026. It all began when the Head of Academic Affairs at Unsoed, Eko Sumanto, was ‘assigned’ to negotiate with collectors to extort prospective new students via the independent pathway with promises of passing.
Eko then established intensive communication with the collectors. After that, Eko conducted ‘dowry bargaining’ with Sodiq’s knowledge.
“That in the same period (2026), it is known that Eko as Head of Academic Affairs at Unsoed communicated with one of the collectors of prospective new students at Unsoed. In that communication, it is known that Eko, with Akhmad Sodiq’s knowledge, conducted ‘dowry bargaining’ with the collectors in the new student admission process via the independent pathway,” said Taufik.
The ‘dowry bargaining’ was eventually agreed upon. Eko received a total of Rp 1.12 billion from one of the collectors.
“After agreeing on the ‘dowry’, Eko then received money from one of the collectors of prospective new students totalling Rp 1.12 billion (2025-2026),” he said.
The money was then reported to Sodiq. After the dowry deals were agreed upon, Sodiq then provided access to his account to give approval to prospective new students who had paid.