KPK Raids Several Locations in Tulungagung Related to Case Involving Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has conducted phased searches of several locations in Tulungagung Regency, East Java, this week. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the searches were carried out to collect additional evidence related to the alleged corruption case involving extortion by the inactive Regent of Tulungagung, Gatut Sunu Wibowo. “It is true that this week investigators carried out phased search activities in the Tulungagung area. The searches at these locations are needed by investigators to find additional evidence required in the investigation of the alleged extortion corruption case in Tulungagung Regency,” said Budi via a short message to Kompas.com on Thursday (16/4/2026). Budi said he would provide the latest information regarding the results of the searches in Tulungagung. Previously, the KPK named Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo and his aide Dwi Yoga Ambal as suspects in the extortion case within the Tulungagung Regency government on Saturday (11/4/2026). The KPK then detained both suspects for the first 20 days from 11-30 April 2026 at the KPK’s Red and White Building branch detention centre. Gatut is alleged to have pressured the heads of regional work units (OPD) within the Tulungagung Regency government after the inauguration process for officials. Letters with blank dates are suspected to have been used as leverage against the OPD heads to meet the regent’s demands, including when asked for cash contributions. “Those who are not loyal to the Regent face the threat of being removed from their positions or even resigning as civil servants,” he stated. In practice, Gatut is also alleged to have demanded money from 16 OPDs. Gatut is also suspected of demanding contributions by adding or shifting budgets in several OPDs. From these additions, he demanded up to 50 percent, even before the budget was disbursed. The collection of this money was carried out by Gatut’s aide, Dwi Yoga Ambal, who in its implementation often treated the OPDs like debtors.