Legislator Regrets Pemalang Regent's Arrest: How Long Will This Continue?

House of Representatives (DPR) Commission II member Ahmad Irawan of the Golkar Party has expressed regret over the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) sting operation that ensnared Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro. Irawan hopes the incident serves as a warning to all Golkar Party cadres. “We in the Golkar Party certainly deeply regret and are saddened by this sting operation. The Pemalang incident must be a concern for all Golkar Party cadres so they do not get entangled in the same problems,” Irawan told reporters on Thursday (30/7/2026). Irawan urged the KPK to guarantee the rights of the relevant parties in accordance with the prevailing Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP). He expressed concern that sting operations frequently ensnare regional heads. “From the series of operations carried out by the KPK, I, as a member of the DPR RI, ask how long will this continue to happen?” he said. According to Irawan, the problem of corruption is systemic and must be resolved immediately. He assessed that the root causes of potential abuse of power by regional officials must be addressed and evaluated. “This corruption crime problem is very systemic, so the solution must also use a systemic approach,” he stated. The KPK had previously conducted a sting operation against Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro, securing evidence including more than Rp 2 billion in cash. The regent and his entourage, including his wife, have arrived at the KPK building for questioning.