Reasons KPK Examined Cilacap Regent in Purwokerto Rather Than Cilacap
The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has provided an explanation regarding the questioning of Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman during a raid operation conducted in Purwokerto rather than Cilacap. The KPK stated that this measure was taken to avoid conflicts of interest.
“Why were the 27 people questioned in Banyumas and not in Cilacap? As mentioned earlier, we sought to avoid any conflict of interest,” explained KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Enforcement Asep Guntur Rahayu at a press conference at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Saturday (14/3/2026).
Asep explained that during the investigation, information was obtained indicating that Regent Syamsul collected Eid holiday allowance (THR) money from district heads to be distributed to members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda). “The information obtained showed that this money was already placed in goodie bags intended for Forkopimda, which includes the Police, Prosecutor’s Office, and Courts—both the District Courts and Islamic Courts. This was also documented in records we discovered,” Asep stated.
“One member of Forkopimda is the Police Precinct, with the Precinct Commander included, which is why the questioning was not conducted at Cilacap Police Precinct to avoid conflicts of interest. We relocated it to Banyumas,” he added.
Asep also stated that the desire to distribute Eid allowances to Forkopimda members was purely an initiative from Regent Syamsul. According to Asep, this plan was designed before entering the month of Ramadan. “Based on the information we have gathered, this was an initiative from Mr AUL. On 26 February, the Regent called Mr SAD, the Regional Secretary. This matter is still being investigated,” he concluded.
The KPK has designated Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman as a suspect in an alleged extortion case. It emerged that Syamsul instructed Cilacap Regional Secretary Sadmoko Danardono to collect contributions for 2026 Eid holiday allowances.
Asep stated that Sadmoko set a target collection of Rp750 million from district agencies against a stated need of Rp515 million, with each agency targeted to contribute between Rp75 million and Rp100 million. “Regent AUL of Cilacap for the period 2025-2030, in relation to the Eid celebration of Idul Fitri 1447 H, instructed Regional Secretary SAD of Cilacap Regency to collect funds for the purpose of distributing Eid allowances to himself and external parties,” Asep said at the KPK’s Red and White Building press conference in South Jakarta on Saturday (14/3).
“Although in reality, the contributions received varied, ranging from Rp3 million to Rp100 million per district agency,” he added.
Syamsul requested that contributions be submitted by 13 March 2026. Should an agency fail to submit, it would be followed up by municipal assistants assisted by the Head of Civil Service Police and the Head of Food Security Service of Cilacap.
In total, Rp610 million was collected. The money was subsequently handed to Sadmoko by one of the assistants named Ferry Adhi Dharma.
“Between 9-13 March 2025, 23 district agencies of Cilacap Regency submitted contributions collected through FER, totalling Rp610 million,” Asep stated.
The KPK has designated Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman and Cilacap Regional Secretary Sadmoko Danardono as suspects in an alleged extortion case. Both have been charged with violating Article 12 (e) and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption Offences as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 on the Eradication of Corruption Offences, read together with Article 20 (c) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.