Ponorogo Regent Demands 7-Year Prison Sentence in Bribery and Gratification Case

The non-active Regent of Ponorogo, Sugiri Sancoko, faces a seven-year prison sentence as demanded by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors in a graft case involving the sale of public office and a hospital construction project. The prosecution team, comprising Arjuna Budi Tambunan, Tonny Indra, and Tri, presented the demands during a hearing at the Surabaya Corruption Court. Sugiri was found legally and convincingly guilty of accepting bribes and gratuities as a state official, with the sentence including a Rp300 million fine. The KPK prosecutors detailed that Sugiri, in his capacity as Regent, received at least Rp900 million from Yunus Mahatma through Regional Secretary Agus Pramono to secure the position of Director of the Dr Harjono Regional General Hospital. Evidence presented in court showed the money was handed over in two stages, with Rp400 million given in February 2025 and Rp500 million in November 2025. The indictment also outlined that contractor Sucipto provided approximately Rp1.15 billion to Sugiri, channelled through Yunus Mahatma and other parties, as a reward for securing hospital construction projects. In addition to the prison term and fine, prosecutors demanded Sugiri pay restitution of Rp6.762 billion, comprising Rp900 million from the bribery related to the directorship, Rp950 million from the contractor’s bribe, and Rp4.912 billion from other gratuities. If the restitution is not paid within one month of the verdict becoming legally binding, his assets will be seized and auctioned, with a further three-year prison sentence if the proceeds are insufficient. The prosecution cited Sugiri’s actions as undermining the government’s anti-corruption programme as an aggravating factor, while his clean criminal record, polite conduct during the trial, and family responsibilities were considered mitigating. The case originated from a KPK sting operation in November 2025, which also led to the prosecution of the Ponorogo Regional Secretary Agus Pramono, who was sentenced to four years and eight months, and former hospital director Yunus Mahatma, who received a five-and-a-half-year sentence. Contractor Sucipto was previously sentenced to two years in prison for bribing Sugiri to secure construction work at the hospital. The trial has been adjourned, with the next session scheduled for the defendants to present their defence pleas.