Three District Heads in Central Java Snared in KPK Anti-Corruption Operations Within Three Months
Within just two weeks, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested two regional heads in Central Java Province through sting operations. Most recently, the KPK arrested Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman on Friday, 13 March 2026. These cases add to the growing list of Central Java regents caught in KPK operations, following the arrest of Pati Regent Sudewo in January 2026.
Central Java Provincial Secretary Sumarno confirmed receiving information about Syamsul’s arrest. However, he stated he remained unaware of the alleged crimes Syamsul is accused of committing.
“We have only been informed of the arrest and that he has been taken to Jakarta,” said Sumarno when interviewed at his office on Friday afternoon. He added that he had attempted to contact the Cilacap Regional Secretary but had not yet received a response. “So I do not yet know the situation as of now,” he said.
“What is clear is that we are also concerned about this situation. We hope that our colleagues in Cilacap will ensure that services for the public remain functioning properly,” Sumarno added.
The KPK confirmed conducting the sting operation in Cilacap. “Today, the KPK conducted a closed investigation in Cilacap Regency, during which the team secured 27 individuals, one of whom is the Cilacap Regent,” said KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo at the Red and White Building in Jakarta on Friday.
On 3 March, the KPK also conducted a sting operation against Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq in Semarang. He is suspected of involvement in corruption relating to outsourcing procurement and other matters within Pekalongan Regency. The procurement process allegedly benefited a company owned by Fadia, PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB). The KPK has named Fadia as a suspect.
Following the sting operation against Fadia, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi warned Pekalongan Regency officials to strengthen transparency, oversight, and close potential conflicts of interest in every procurement process for goods and services. “The Provincial Prosecutor and Police Chief should coordinate with the Inspectorate to provide guidance to all regional work units and village level authorities, so that corruption and bribery do not happen again,” Luthfi said when providing direction at Pekalongan Regency Office on Monday, 9 March 2026.