PKB Chairman Cak Imin Shocked by Arrest of Cilacap Regent and Party Cadre

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, Chairman of the Central Board of the Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB), said he was shocked by the arrest of Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman, who is also a PKB party official, on suspicion of corruption in the form of extortion.

“Yes, we are deeply concerned. I did not expect this,” said Cak Imin at the PKB Central Board Building in Jakarta on Sunday.

However, Cak Imin said he respects the legal process underway at the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK).

“Certainly we respect the legal process,” he said.

Previously, on 13 March 2026, the KPK announced its ninth operation of the year and third in the month of Ramadhan, conducting a hand-arrest operation (OTT). The operation arrested Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman and 26 others, whilst seizing cash in rupiah.

On 14 March 2026, the KPK named Syamsul Auliya Rachman and Cilacap Regional Secretary Sadmoko Danardoo as suspects in a case of alleged extortion and illicit receipt of funds within the Cilacap Regency Government of Central Java for the budget years 2025-2026.

Syamsul Auliya targeted obtaining 750 million rupiah through extortion, which was to be divided into 515 million rupiah for the Hari Raya allowance for the Regional Leaders Communication Forum (Forkopimda) of Cilacap Regency, with the remainder for personal purposes. However, he had only received 610 million rupiah before being arrested by the KPK.