KPK Investigates Alleged Extortion, Questions 'Team 8' and Former Campaign Team Members of Pati Regent Sudewo
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has questioned 13 witnesses, who are former members of the campaign team and ‘Team 8’ or the Transition Team of the inactive Regent of Pati, Sudewo, to investigate allegations of extortion from prospective village officials.
The questioning took place at the Semarang City Police Office, Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday (February 25th).
“The witnesses were questioned in their capacity as former members of the campaign team and Team 8 or the Transition Team of the Regent of Pati (SDW) and their involvement in decision-making and the allocation of goods and services procurement in Pati Regency,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo in a written statement on Wednesday (February 25th).
Budi added that investigators also asked the witnesses about the filling of village official positions, which is scheduled to take place in March this year.
“Investigators also requested an explanation regarding the filling of village official positions in Pati Regency in 2026 and the requests and collection of funds ordered by the Regent,” he said.
The witnesses questioned included the Head of Perdopo Village, Gunungwungkal District, Edy Susanto; former Chairman of the Pati Regency DPRD/Acting Chairman of Baznas/Member of the Pati Regent’s Campaign Team, Sunarwi; Member of the Supervisory Board of RSUD Suwonso/Member of the Pati Regent’s Campaign Team, Manurung; and former Vice Regent of Pati, Syaiful Arifin.
Also questioned were Agus Ebenezer, a member of the Pati Regent’s Campaign Team; Aji Sudarmaji, a former member of the Pati Regency DPRD/Member of the Pati Regent’s Campaign Team; Tono, a member of the Pati Regent’s Campaign Team; Susilo, the Head of Gajihan Village, Gunungwungkal District.
Furthermore, Tafaquri, the Head of Pundenrejo Village, Tayu District; Suyanto, the Head of Gesengan Village, Cluwak District; Wiwit Edi, the Head of Mojo Village, Cluwak District; Yuniatin, the Head of Dororejo Village, Tayu District; and Dwi Tantri, the Head of Batursari Village, were also questioned.
Previously, the KPK named Sudewo and three other individuals as suspects in the alleged extortion case.
The suspects are Abdul Suyono, the Head of Karangrowo Village, Jakenan District; Sumarjiono, the Head of Arumanis Village, Jaken District; and Karjan, the Head of Sukorukun Village, Jaken District.
They have been detained at the KPK State Detention Center and charged with Article 12 paragraph e of the Law on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 20 paragraph c of the Criminal Code.
The case was uncovered by the KPK through a surprise operation (OTT) conducted some time ago, during which eight people, including Sudewo, were arrested. During the operation, a total of IDR 2.6 billion was confiscated.
The KPK found evidence of alleged extortion practices in several sub-districts in Pati. Budi has not yet provided detailed information.
Pati Regency has a total of 21 sub-districts, 401 villages, and 5 urban villages. It is estimated that there are currently 601 vacant village official positions.
(ryn/kid)