Three Central Java Regents Caught in KPK Sting Operation in Early 2026
Jakarta — Three regents in Central Java Province were caught in an operation conducted by Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) in early 2026.
In Pati Regency, Central Java, the KPK arrested Regent Sudewo and three others in a sting operation on Monday, 19 January 2026. During the operation, the KPK seized 2.6 billion rupiah in cash allegedly linked to extortion in Pati Regency.
Besides Sudewo, the KPK also charged Abdul Suyono as Chief of Karangrowo Village, Sumarjiono as Chief of Arumanis Village, and Karjan, Chief of Sukorukun Village.
“After sufficient evidence was found, the KPK designated four people as suspects,” said KPK Acting Deputy for Prosecution and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu in a press conference on Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
The KPK subsequently detained the suspects for the first 20 days, from 20 January to 8 February 2026, at the KPK Detention Centre at the Red and White Building.
The KPK revealed the case originated in late 2025 when Pati Regency Government planned to open village administrative positions in March 2026. Asep stated there were 601 vacant village administrative posts.
Based on this, Sudewo, together with members of his success team (timses) or trusted associates, planned to demand money from prospective village administrative candidates (caperdes).
Several village chiefs who were part of Sudewo’s success team were appointed as sub-district coordinators.
“Since November 2025, it was known that Sudewo had discussed plans for filling village administrative positions with his team,” he said.
Asep stated that two village chiefs, Abdul Suyono and Sumarjiono, contacted village heads in their respective areas to instruct them to collect money from candidates.
“Based on Sudewo’s directions, Suyono and Sumarjiono then set rates of 165 million to 225 million rupiah for each candidate who registered. These rates were marked up by Suyono and Sumarjiono from the previous amount of 125 million to 150 million rupiah,” he explained.
The money was collected by Sumarjiono and Karjan, who then handed it to Suyono and allegedly passed it to Sudewo.
For their actions, the suspects are charged with violating Article 12(e) of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Offences, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 20(c) of the Criminal Code (KUHP).