Swift Leadership Change at Bali Attorney General's Office: Intelligence Figures Step In at Critical Time
The leadership change at the High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati) in Bali, through the Attorney General’s Decree Number 488 of 2026, is not merely a routine rotation of positions. The track records of Setiawan Budi Cahyono and I Made Sudarmawan are drawing attention, particularly their backgrounds in intelligence and handling strategic cases.
Setiawan Budi Cahyono has been appointed as the Head of the High Prosecutor’s Office (Kajati) in Bali, replacing Chatarina Muliana who had only been in the position since October 2025. This relatively quick change has spotlighted the experience and approach brought by the new leadership.
Before being entrusted to lead Kejati Bali, Setiawan had a career in the Attorney General’s intelligence division. His last position was as Director IV in the Junior Attorney General for Intelligence (Jamintel), a strategic role involving the gathering of information, case mapping, and early detection of major cases.
This experience has made Setiawan known for an approach based on mapping and analysis from the initial stages. The intelligence function inherent in his background is considered crucial in reading potential criminal acts, especially in high-dynamics areas like Bali.
In addition to the central level, Setiawan has also served at the Magetan District Prosecutor’s Office in East Java. In the regions, he is known as a figure who emphasises thoroughness in case handling and the importance of complete evidence. He also promoted the strengthening of intelligence functions at the local level through early mapping of legal issues.
With that background, his presence in Bali is viewed as an effort to strengthen supervision and case handling in a more comprehensive manner, particularly for cases with high complexity such as investments, land matters, and strategic projects.
Several issues developing in Bali, such as alleged land mafia activities, investment problems, and oversight of strategic projects, are seen to require structured and data-based handling.
On the other hand, the Attorney General’s Office states that this mutation is part of organisational refreshment and efforts to improve institutional performance. Job rotation is considered routine for optimising tasks and functions.
Nevertheless, the quick change in a strategic position like Kajati Bali remains a point of attention. Some parties view this step as an indication that Bali is entering a priority for future law enforcement supervision.
Sudarmawan: Combination of Intelligence and Special Crimes
The prosecutorial officials’ rotation also places I Made Sudarmawan as Deputy Head of the High Prosecutor’s Office (Wakajati) in Bali, replacing Sunarwan who has been transferred to the Head of Equipment Bureau in the Junior Attorney General for Development.
Before being assigned to Bali, Sudarmawan served as Wakajati in North Kalimantan. He also has a long track record in the Prosecutor’s environment, including as Head of the North Jakarta District Prosecutor’s Office from 2019 to 2022.
In 2024, he was entrusted as Coordinator in the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (JAM Pidsus), which handles cases with high complexity. Additionally, Sudarmawan also has experience in intelligence as Assistant Intelligence at the North Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office.
The combination of experience in special crimes and intelligence strengthens his capacity in handling strategic cases. As Wakajati, his role is important in controlling internal operations and ensuring the effective implementation of policies at the technical level.
This position also plays a role in coordinating case handling in various fields within Kejati Bali. Sudarmawan’s appointment completes the leadership composition of Kejati Bali now led by Setiawan Budi Cahyono.
With the track records of both having overlaps in intelligence and handling strategic cases, this new structure is assessed to strengthen a more directed and systematic law enforcement approach in Bali.