KPK Records "Hat-Trick" of Arrests in Central Java Province; Deterrent Effect Questioned?
Jakarta — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has conducted three sting operations (OTT) in Central Java Province since the beginning of 2026.
The three regents ensnared in KPK sting operations are Pati Regent Sudewo, Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq, and Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman.
On Monday, 19 January 2026, the KPK arrested Pati Regent Sudewo and three others in a sting operation in Pati Regency, Central Java. During the operation, the KPK also seized 2.6 billion rupiah in cash suspected to be linked to extortion in Pati Regency.
Following the investigation process, the KPK designated Pati Regent Sudewo as a suspect related to allegations of extortion in connection with the filling of village official positions in Pati Regency on Tuesday, 20 January 2026. In addition to Sudewo, the KPK also designated Abdul Suyono as Head of Karangrowo Village, Sumarjiono as Head of Arumanis Village, and Karjan, Head of Sukorukun Village, as suspects.
“Following the discovery of sufficient evidence, the KPK designated four individuals as suspects,” stated Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu during a press conference on Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
The KPK revealed that the case originated in late 2025 when Pati Regency Government planned to open recruitment for village official positions in March 2026. Asep stated there were 601 vacant village official positions.
Based on this, Sudewo, together with members of his success team (timses) or trusted associates, planned to solicit payments from prospective village official candidates (Caperdes). Several village heads who were part of Sudewo’s success team were appointed to serve as sub-district coordinators.
“Since November 2025, it was determined that Sudewo had discussed plans for filling the village official positions with his success team members,” Asep said.
Two village heads among them, Abdul Suyono and Sumarjiono, contacted village heads in their respective areas to instruct the collection of money from prospective village official candidates. “Based on Sudewo’s direction, Suyono and Sumarjiono then established a rate of between 165 million and 225 million rupiah for each prospective candidate who registered. This amount had been marked up by Suyono and Sumarjiono from the previous rate of 125 million to 150 million rupiah,” he explained.
By 18 January 2026, Sumarjiono had collected funds valued at 2.6 billion rupiah from eight village heads in Jarken Sub-district. The money was collected by Sumarjiono and Karjan and subsequently handed to Suyono, and is suspected to have been forwarded to Sudewo.
For their actions, the suspects are charged with violating Article 12 letter e of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Offences as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code (KUHP).