Less Than a Year in Office, Bali Chief Prosecutor Chatarina Muliana Removed
A change in leadership at the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati Bali) has occurred once again. Chatarina Muliana has officially been transferred, while Setiawan Budi Cahyono has been appointed as her replacement.
This policy is outlined in the Attorney General’s Decree Number 488 of 2026, dated 13 April 2026.
In that decree, 53 strategic officials within the Attorney General’s Office are being transferred simultaneously, ranging from heads of high prosecutor’s offices (kajati), directors at the central level, to supervisory and intelligence officials.
In Bali, this rotation has come under scrutiny due to its relatively short timeframe. Chatarina Muliana, who only took office as Kajati Bali in October 2025, has now been moved to the position of Head of the Asset Recovery Centre.
Her tenure of approximately six months has sparked public interest. Previously, she was expected to uncover various alleged corruption cases on the Island of the Gods.
As her replacement, the Attorney General’s Office has appointed Setiawan Budi Cahyono, who previously served as Director IV in the Attorney General for Intelligence Affairs (JAM Intel).
This change is part of a major rotation that is seen not merely as routine transfers, but as a strategic step in the internal restructuring of the Adhyaksa Corps.
In general, job rotations within the Attorney General’s Office are commonplace in the organisation’s dynamics. However, the quick replacement of the Kajati Bali remains a point of special attention.
During her tenure, public expectations for Chatarina Muliana were high, particularly regarding the handling of alleged corruption cases in Bali.
Nevertheless, official documents state that the transfer is part of the organisation’s needs to optimise performance. This means that the job shifts are not solely based on individual factors, but on a comprehensive institutional strategy.
Setiawan’s Track Record
Setiawan Budi Cahyono is no stranger to the Adhyaksa Corps. He is known for his long experience in several strategic positions, particularly in intelligence and case handling.
Before being appointed as Kajati Bali, he served as Director IV in JAM Intel, a position that plays a crucial role in gathering and analysing strategic information related to law enforcement.
His career also includes several other important positions, among them Deputy Head of the East Java High Prosecutor’s Office and Acting Head (Plt.) of the East Java High Prosecutor’s Office. He also once served as Assistant for General Criminal Affairs at the Banten High Prosecutor’s Office.
With that track record, Setiawan’s appointment is viewed as an effort to strengthen the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office in facing various law enforcement challenges in the region.
Besides Bali, transfers have also occurred in various other regions and strategic positions, both at the regional and central levels, including those directly related to handling important cases.