Nine Regional Heads Caught in Sting Operations, Observer Reveals 'Opportunistic' Motive and High Political Costs
The Chairman of the IM57+ Institute, Lakso Anindito, stated that the frequent sting operations (OTT) involving nine regional heads between January and early July 2026 are inseparable from the drive for self-enrichment and the high political costs incurred by regional leaders.
Lakso assessed that regional leadership positions are often treated as an opportunity for ‘opportunism’ to accumulate wealth during their term of office. “There is a personal motive to use the term of office as an opportunity to amass personal wealth, as seen in the case of the Regent of Pekalongan,” Lakso said in a statement to journalists on Sunday (5/7).
According to Lakso, in an internal context, regional heads already possess adequate official facilities and professional budget support. However, the high cost of political expenses required to maintain power in the next election period leads some regional heads to treat their term as a period to collect as much money as possible.
“This is done either by extorting subordinates seeking promotion, as seen in the case of the Regional Secretary of Kuansing, or by collecting project fees, as seen in the case of the Regent of Langkat,” he added.
Lakso also noted that regional heads find themselves squeezed externally due to demands for non-budgetary funds from various parties, including partners and higher-ranking officials, to secure budget allocations or regional interests. He cited the case of the Regent of Kuantan Singingi, Suhardiman Amby, who allegedly attempted to provide an envelope to the Minister of Forestry regarding the status of forest areas in Kuansing.
“This places regional heads in a position where they act as ‘bribers’ to those above them while acting as ‘bribe recipients’ from those below. This vicious cycle shows no sign of ending,” said Lakso.
On that basis, he believes strategic steps are needed to expose the parties benefiting from the corruption of regional heads, while also clarifying the operational support for non-budgetary funds so that regional leaders are not continuously trapped in corrupt practices.
Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) recorded that nine regional heads were caught in sting operations between January and early July 2026. The KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated that this series of cases should serve as a warning to the public to be more careful when choosing regional leaders.
“The public must be smarter in light of these events,” said Aso. He emphasised that voters should no longer make choices based on pragmatism. “Therefore, choices should not be based solely on what is received or given in a pragmatic manner—giving something and then being elected—but rather on choosing those who are truly qualified.”