Pemalang Regent Arrested in Jakarta, Rp2 Billion in Cash Seized

Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro, along with four other individuals, was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Jakarta on Tuesday evening (28/7).

They are currently undergoing questioning at the KPK’s Merah Putih building.

“One of the people secured in Jakarta was the Pemalang Regent, who arrived at the KPK’s Merah Putih building last night for intensive questioning,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the KPK office in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/7).

Budi said the KPK’s enforcement team arrested a total of 21 people during sting operations in Pemalang, Purworejo and Jakarta. Of that number, 12 were taken to the KPK office for further questioning.

“In addition to securing 21 people, the team also seized evidence including more than Rp2 billion in cash, and of course other pieces of evidence were also secured as part of this arrest operation,” Budi said.

The covert investigation relates to payments received by the regent concerning projects and the buying and selling of the Regional Secretary position.

The KPK has been actively arresting regional heads suspected of corruption through sting operations. So far this year, 11 regional heads have been detained in the anti-graft agency’s covert operations.

The corruption methods employed by these regional heads vary, ranging from bribery and extortion to the receipt of gratifications.

The regional heads being prosecuted by the KPK include Madiun Mayor Maidi; Pati Regent Sudewo; Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq; Rejang Lebong Regent (Bengkulu Province) Muhammad Fikri Thobari; Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman; and Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo.

Also on the list are Muara Enim Regent (South Sumatra) Edison; Kuantan Singingi Regent (Riau Province) Suhardiman Amby; Langkat Regent Syah Afandin; Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani; and West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini.