KPK Seizes Rp335.4 Million in Raid on Tulungagung Regent

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized Rp335.4 million in cash during a sting operation (OTT) against Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo (GSW) on Friday (10/4), related to alleged criminal acts of extortion within the Tulungagung Regency Government (Pemkab) in East Java. KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated during a press conference at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Saturday evening that the money is suspected to be part of Rp2.7 billion allegedly received by GSW from demands totalling Rp5 billion to several Pemkab Tulungagung officials. “These demands were made by GSW to at least 16 Organisational Units of the Device (OPD) within Pemkab Tulungagung, with varying amounts from Rp15 million to Rp2.8 billion,” Asep said. He explained that GSW demanded money from OPD heads and other officials, either directly or through an intermediary, his aide Dwi Yoga Ambal (YOG), who has also been named a suspect. Furthermore, he noted that GSW made these ‘quota’ demands by adding or shifting budgets in several OPDs. For these budget additions, GSW demanded up to 50% of the budget value as a ‘quota’, even before the budget was approved or disbursed to the OPDs. According to him, these ‘quota’ or extortion demands were motivated by GSW’s prior requests for various Pemkab Tulungagung officials to sign statements of readiness to resign from their positions if not loyal to GSW. In fact, he said, these letters could demand that officials resign as civil servants (ASN). In addition, he expressed appreciation to all parties who supported and contributed to the sting operation in Tulungagung Regency, particularly the people of Tulungagung, the Tulungagung Police Resort, and the Sidoarjo Police Resort, which facilitated the examination of the suspected perpetrators. For their actions, the suspects are charged under Article 12 letter e or Article 12B of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on the eradication of criminal acts of corruption, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.