Six Regional Heads in Anti-Corruption Vests by KPK So Far in 2026
Jakarta, VIVA – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has carried out sting operations (OTT) against six regional heads over the past four months.
KPK’s Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, stated that the numerous sting operations serve as an important note for preventing corrupt practices in the future.
“(Prevention) includes Monitoring, Controlling, Surveillance for Prevention or MCSP, as well as follow-up on the results of the KPK’s Public Integrity Assessment Survey or SPI,” he said, quoted on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
Meanwhile, based on records, the first regional head caught in a KPK sting operation in 2026 was the Mayor of Madiun, Maidi, in mid-January.
Maidi is suspected of committing corruption related to alleged bribes for projects and the misuse of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
In this case, the KPK has also named Maidi, the Head of the Public Works and Public Housing Department (Dinas PUPR) of Madiun City, Thariq Megah, and private party Rochim Rudiyanto as suspects.
The KPK seized cash amounting to Rp550 million. This amount was secured from Rochim Rudiyanto for Rp350 million and Thariq Megah for Rp200 million.
Sting Operation on the Regent of Pati, Sudewo
A day after the operation in Madiun, the KPK moved swiftly to arrest the Regent of Pati, Sudewo, over an alleged corruption case involving extortion in the appointment of village officials in Pati Regency.
In this case, the KPK named three other suspects: Abdul Suyono, Sumarjiono, and Karjan.
The modus operandi involved the Regent of Pati, Sudewo, setting a fee for village official appointments in Pati Regency, Central Java, at Rp125 million to Rp150 million.
However, the three village heads marked up the price to Rp165 million to Rp225 million.
“YON and JION then set the fee at Rp165 million-Rp225 million for each village official candidate who registered,” said Asep Guntur during a press conference at the KPK building on Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
Asep revealed that in the execution, the collection of the money was allegedly accompanied by threats.
“If the village official candidates do not comply with the provisions, the village official positions will not be opened again in the following years,” he explained.
Regent of Pekalongan
On 3 March, the KPK ensnared the Regent of Pekalongan, Fadia Arafiq, over alleged corruption in the procurement of goods and services for outsourcing as well as other projects in the Pekalongan Regency administration.
The modus operandi involved Fadia, along with her husband Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu and son Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff, establishing a company named PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB).
The company is suspected of dominating procurements in 17 regional agencies, 3 public hospitals, and 1 sub-district.