KPK: Sukoharjo Regent's Extortion a 'Tradition' Copied from Husband
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating alleged extortion within the Sukoharjo Regency Government during the era of the current regent, Etik Suryani (ETS), and her husband, the previous regent, Wardoyo (WDY). The KPK stated that Wardoyo is currently in poor health.
“This includes whether the unlawful acts committed by the previous regent, Mr WDY, have sufficient evidence for investigators to name him a suspect. We will see how it develops,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told reporters on Monday (13/7/2026).
Budi said Wardoyo’s health condition is also a consideration for the KPK in the examination process. He stated that the alleged extortion carried out by Etik is suspected to have replicated the methods used during Wardoyo’s tenure.
“Looking at the case construction, what Regent ETS did was a duplication of what was done by the previous regent, who is also ETS’s husband,” Budi said.
“Several of the methods are the same, even down to the rates or the amounts of the extortion and coercion, which are exactly the same as those carried out by the previous regent. This means it is truly a copy-paste of the methods used by the previous regent,” he continued.
The KPK previously named Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani as a suspect in an extortion case within the Sukoharjo Regency Government. The KPK also named two of Etik’s subordinates as suspects.
“The KPK has elevated the alleged corruption case related to extortion in the Sukoharjo Regency Government to the investigation stage and named three people as suspects,” said Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu during a press conference on Saturday (11/7).
The three individuals named as KPK suspects are: 1. Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani, 2. Head of the Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) of Sukoharjo Regency, Richard Tri Handoko, and 3. Head of General Affairs of the Regional Secretariat of Sukoharjo Regency, Tri Mulyo.
Asep alleged that Etik Suryani received illicit payments from the BPKAD. He said Etik instructed Richard to collect approximately 40 per cent of the incentives received by several BPKAD employees. This alleged extortion is suspected to be a ‘tradition’ that was previously carried out by Etik’s husband during his tenure as Regent.
“ETS’s request is suspected to continue the ‘tradition’ of the previous regent, who is also ETS’s husband, using code phrases such as ‘tambahan upah pungut kae ono tho?’ (the additional levy wages are there, right?); ‘kowe mrene kan ora bayar’ (you came here without paying); ‘padakno karo Bapak’ (make it the same as with Father). The meaning is that the amount of money deposited should match the deposits made during the previous regent’s term,” Asep revealed.