Looking at the Cilacap Regent Case, KPK Urges Local Leaders Not to Demand THR Contributions
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has reminded regional heads that they have no obligation to provide anything whatsoever to external parties, including year-end allowances (THR), following the case of Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman (AUL) who is alleged to have engaged in extortion for THR distribution.
“Once again, the KPK reminds us that regional heads have no obligation to provide anything whatsoever to external parties,” stated KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Enforcement Asep Guntur Rahayu at a press conference in Jakarta on Saturday evening, 15 March.
He also reiterated that the KPK has issued Circular Letter (SE) Number 2 of 2026 concerning Gratification Control and Corruption Prevention, particularly in the lead-up to religious holidays and situations that could create conflicts of interest. Through this circular, the KPK called upon all state administrators and civil apparatus to maintain the integrity of their positions by neither accepting nor requesting any form of gifts related to their positions and services.
“Avoiding such practices (providing something to external parties) is an important part of efforts to maintain the integrity of office and ensure that authority is not misused,” said Asep.
In this case, Cilacap Regent AUL is alleged to have instructed Cilacap Regency Regional Secretary Sadmoko Danardono (SAD) to collect funds for the purpose of distributing THR to himself and external parties. The external parties referred to include the regional leadership coordination forum (Forkopimda) within the Cilacap Regency Government. The funds were collected from each regional apparatus in the regency with a target collection of Rp750 million.
The national government has already provided THR to 10.5 million civil servants, police, and military personnel with a total value of Rp55.1 trillion. “Therefore, in maintaining good relations and cooperation between the regional government and Forkopimda, there is no longer any need to provide THR,” said Asep.
According to the KPK, the preparation of THR by regional heads through regional apparatus demonstrates unethical behaviour by state administrators and there is no legal justification or excuse for such conduct. Furthermore, this practice can trigger a domino effect of other irregularities and violations, such as demanding contributions from private sector entities that have been promised project work in the region.
This, Asep noted, will impact state or regional financial losses and the quality of infrastructure development, in this case in Cilacap Regency. “The provision of THR from regional heads to Forkopimda can also serve as a mechanism to ensure that if any irregularities or violations occur within the regional government, they are not prosecuted by local law enforcement authorities, as one component of Forkopimda,” Asep added.
The KPK suspects that the provision of THR from regional heads to Forkopimda may not be limited to Cilacap Regency alone. To this end, the KPK urged regional heads and Forkopimda to mutually commit to realising good governance with full integrity. “Similarly, regional secretaries, as senior officials and career civil servants within the regional government, should be able to refuse orders from regional heads that could have legal consequences and should also remind the regional head, in this case the regent, that such conduct violates the law,” he said.
On Saturday, the KPK designated Cilacap Regent AUL and Cilacap Regency Regional Secretary SAD as suspects for alleged corruption offences related to extortion and receipt of funds for THR distribution. Both are charged with violating Article 12(e) and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Offences read together with Article 20(c) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Criminal Code.