KPK’s Arrest Operations Surge in Prabowo-Gibran’s First Two Years
JAKARTA — In the first two years of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted 36 sting operations (OTT), more than twice the 14 carried out in the first two years of President Joko Widodo’s second term (2019–2024).
How has the KPK pursued efforts to prevent and combat corruption?
The KPK was among the speakers at a retreat for regional heads elected in the 2024 regional elections, organised by the government in February 2025 after their inauguration. The event was one measure intended to prevent regional heads from engaging in corruption.
Like the previous administration, President Prabowo has a number of priority programmes. One of them is the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
In 2025, the KPK reviewed the governance of MBG to identify corruption risks. It found eight risks and issued eight recommendations for the programme’s future implementation.
The recommendations included reviewing the mechanisms for providing government assistance, establishing standardised financial reporting and verification systems, and setting measurable indicators of MBG’s success.
The KPK also investigated suspected corruption in the MBG programme. However, it temporarily halted the investigation to avoid overlapping with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), which had already begun its own inquiry.
The AGO subsequently named several suspects in the case, including former National Nutrition Agency (BGN) head Dadan Hindayana and two former deputy heads of the body responsible for the MBG programme, Sony Sonjaya and Lodewyk Pusung.
After reviewing MBG, the KPK began examining corruption prevention measures for another of the President’s priority programmes, the Red-and-White Village/Sub-district Cooperatives. The KPK announced the start of the review on 13 May 2026.
“We want to ensure that this flagship programme can be implemented optimally, accountably and in a way that delivers tangible benefits to the public,” KPK Deputy for Prevention and Monitoring Aminudin said on 13 May 2026.
19 regional heads caught in sting operations
During the first two years of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, the KPK conducted 36 sting operations, 34 of them while Setyo Budiyanto was KPK chairman.
The KPK carried out 11 sting operations in 2025. By 20 October 2026, the figure had reached 23, with all the cases being handled by the anti-corruption agency.
With November and December still to come before the end of 2026, the number of operations this year could rise further.
KPK Chairman Setyo Budiyanto said he was optimistic that efforts to combat corruption could proceed with government support.
“I am optimistic that corruption offences can be combated with the support of the current government,” Setyo said.
At the same time, the large number of sting operations highlights problems that need to be addressed urgently. Nineteen regional heads elected in the 2024 regional elections have been caught in KPK operations and named as suspects. This is despite the agency’s earlier preventive efforts, including briefing regional heads at the retreat and coordinating with and supervising local authorities.
Those caught in the operations were East Kolaka Regent Abdul Azis, Riau Governor Abdul Wahid, Ponorogo Regent Sugiri Sancoko, Central Lampung Regent Ardito Wijaya, Bekasi Regent Ade Kuswara Kunang, Madiun Mayor Maidi, Pati Regent Sudewo, Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq, Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari and Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman.
They also included Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo, Muara Enim Regent Edison, Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby, Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani, West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini, Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro, North Bolaang Mongondow Regent Sirajudin Lasena and Klaten Regent Hamenang Wajar Ismoyo.
The alleged corruption cases share broadly similar patterns, including bribes linked to projects, the buying and selling of public posts, extortion of local government officials and manipulation of audit findings by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).
The KPK’s sting operations during the first two years of the Prabowo-Gibran administration have also exposed problems in public services.
Some cases involved the processing of occupational safety and health (K3) certificates at the Ministry of Manpower, tax audits at a Medium Tax Office, goods imports handled by the Finance Ministry’s Directorate General of Customs and Excise, residence permits for foreign nationals, land services and contingency funds for disaster response.
Government support for anti-corruption efforts has also been evident in the handling of cases involving senior officials, including Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer.
It is hoped that efforts to prevent and combat corruption in Indonesia will improve during the Prabowo-Gibran administration. The President himself has said the KPK is free to take action against anyone proven to be involved in corruption.
“If you have evidence, then go ahead—that is what I said,” Prabowo said on the ‘The President Answers’ programme, broadcast on his YouTube channel on 16 September 2026.