Terrifying Modus Operandi of Tulungagung Regent: 'Magic Letter' to Extract Tribute

Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Wibowo (GSW) extorted 16 heads of regional government agencies (OPD) or officials using a terrifying new modus operandi. The KPK stated that Gatut used a ‘magic letter’ to extract tribute.

This was conveyed by KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, during a press conference at the KPK in Jakarta, quoted on Monday (13/4/2026). Gatut was arrested by the KPK in a hand-catching operation (OTT) related to the extortion case.

Gatut has been designated as a suspect. Not only Gatut, but his aide, Dwi Yoga Ambal (YOG), has also been named a suspect.

“The KPK then elevated the case to the investigation stage and designated two suspects,” Asep Guntur said.

Gatut ordered his aide to continuously collect quotas from the OPDs that had not yet paid the requested amounts. The aide played a role in collecting and gathering the quotas.

Asep revealed that the extortion had been ongoing since December 2025. The extorted officials admitted to being extremely distressed by Gatut’s actions.

“So up to now, it’s only been about four months or so. So far, they have reached the stage of extreme distress. Extremely distressed by what was conveyed or the practices carried out by Mr GSW. In the end, they couldn’t do anything because they were locked in by that letter,” Asep said.

In carrying out his extortion, Asep said, Gatut used a new modus operandi by threatening to show the ‘magic letter’ to the public, the contents of which suggested that these OPD heads were resigning. Not only as OPD heads, but also from their positions as civil servants (ASN).

“If they refuse, that same day they could be dismissed or resign. So if that is issued or that letter is shown to the public or society as if they themselves resigned as OPD heads, officials, and also as ASN,” Asep said.

“This is sudden, not just as OPD heads, but resigning as ASN too. So the threat used to bind them is actually very severe. They have reached the point of distress,” he added.

Here, the role of Gatut’s aide, Dwi, was also crucial. In addition to collecting quotas from OPD heads, he arranged budget usage.

“So in this incident, without the role of YOG, the criminal act by GSW could not have been realised. Because he was the one from the start who called the OPD heads to sign the letter, to recording every part considered as debt, the money part. So every time the regent or the rogue regent mentioned, for example, there will be an addition in PUPR of Rp 2 billion. That means Rp 1 billion is recorded as debt from the PUPR department head to GSW,” he said.

Asep said the method used by Gatut was newly discovered by the KPK. According to Asep, the modus operandi was very terrifying.

“Then, this is perhaps a little addition, so as far as we are concerned, this is a new finding. A new finding like this, bound by that letter. So we are also on alert, lest this pattern be imitated. Bound in the form of a statement letter, just add the date, right,” Asep said.

“When you, for example, back out, well, just date it, that date. The letter becomes valid, that statement letter. Like this, this is very terrifying,” he added.