Many Regional Heads Caught in Corruption, Deputy Interior Minister: If Not Evaluated, There Could Be an OTT Every Week

Deputy Interior Minister of Indonesia, Bima Arya Sugiharto, stated that a thorough overhaul and evaluation are needed across all levels to improve regional governance. He made this remark in response to six regional heads being caught in the Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) sting operations (OTT) over the past four months. “A fundamental and comprehensive evaluation is needed across all lines; if not, there could be an OTT every week,” Bima told Kompas.com on Monday (13/4/2026). He also explained that the Interior Ministry has implemented diverse mentoring programmes, including cross-agency efforts. Bima added that numerous areas require improvement, starting from political party cadre development, regional head nominations, to the regional head election system. He also touched on other systems such as goods and services procurement up to bureaucratic meritocracy. “The position of the inspectorate, up to improvements in regional apparatus organisations (APH) and remuneration for regional heads,” he emphasised. The six regional heads are Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya, Rejang Lebong Regent Fikri Thobari, Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq, Madiun Mayor Maidi, Pati Regent Sudewo, and Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo. These six add to the list of regional heads arrested by the KPK in the previous year. They are a series of regional heads caught in KPK OTTs and are currently undergoing legal processes.