Three Central Java Regents Ensnared in KPK Sting Operation; UGM Anti-Corruption Centre Cites Governance Problems
Jakarta, Kompas.com - Zaenur Rohman, a researcher at the Anti-Corruption Centre of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Law Faculty (Pukat UGM), believes the arrest of three regents in Central Java by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) demonstrates governance problems in the region.
“I am not saying other regions are clean; they may not be either, but at least the sting operations conducted by the KPK in several Central Java regencies indicate that Central Java is a region with governance problems,” said Zaenur when contacted by Kompas.com on Sunday (15 March 2026).
“I would urge all regents and mayors in Central Java to work together to prevent corruption so that in the future we do not see repeated sting operations in Central Java,” he said.
“There must be concrete action taken to improve the system to prevent this from continuing to recur,” he added.
Zaenur also highlighted the phenomenon of requests for Year-End Allowances (Tunjangan Hari Raya, THR) from local government heads. He stated that state officials should possess the basic knowledge that requesting THR contributions constitutes gratification.
“Why are there so many requests for THR around the time of the holidays? Regional heads collect THR because there are many requests from Forkopimda. So Forkopimda includes very powerful figures such as law enforcement,” he said.
He noted that it is extremely difficult for regional heads to refuse THR requests owing to fear and imbalanced power relations.
“So how do we monitor and address this problem? Firstly, as the KPK is doing with these sting operations, enforcement action occurs after the fact. Secondly, system improvements are needed. The issue of gratification must be properly understood by all state officials. Thirdly, of course, oversight,” he said.
The three Central Java regents caught by the KPK are Pati Regent Sudewo, Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq, and most recently Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya.
The KPK established two suspects in the case of alleged extortion for 2026 Eid holiday allowances on Saturday (14 March 2026).
The two are Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya and Cilacap Regional Secretary (Sekda) Sadmoko Danardono.
“The KPK then elevated this case to the investigation phase and established two suspects, namely Syamsul Auliya as Cilacap Regent for the 2025-2030 period and Sadmoko Danardono as Cilacap Regional Secretary,” said Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Execution at the KPK, at a press conference at KPK headquarters on Saturday.