Three Regents Ensnared in KPK Sting Operation; KP2KKN: Central Java Administration Unstable
SEMARANG — Ronny Maryanto, Secretary of the Regional Committee for Investigation and Eradication of Corruption, Collusion, and Nepotism (KP2KKN) for Central Java province, has raised concerns about the extensive sting operations conducted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) across the region. He characterises these operations as evidence that governance in Central Java remains unstable.
Ronny pointed to the arrest of three regents in Central Java within the past three months through KPK sting operations. “We call this the KPK hat-trick. First was Pati Regent Sudewo, then Pekalongan Regent, and most recently Cilacap Regent. This demonstrates that the KPK’s operations in Central Java have been quite extensive,” he stated during an interview on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.
“Therefore, we consider governance in Central Java, given that it has become the focus of KPK scrutiny, to be unstable,” Ronny added.
Given this instability, Ronny believes the risk of further arrests of local leaders in Central Java remains very high. “It is likely that before long, another sting operation will occur in another area of Central Java. The KPK continues to monitor and surveil governance in the region, which suggests there are vulnerabilities,” he said.
According to Ronny, the arrest of three regents in Central Java by the KPK is already a concerning situation. “There is a real possibility that this could happen repeatedly, which is why we characterise Central Java as unstable,” he explained.
He noted that at the district and city administration level, the governor’s authority is severely limited and unable to intervene directly. In terms of corruption prevention measures, Ronny believes governors must serve as exemplary role models for local leaders within their provinces.
“Beyond that, what governors can do is appeal to and continuously remind the regents and mayors under their authority,” he said.
On 19 January 2026, the KPK conducted a sting operation against Pati Regent Sudewo. More than a month later, on 3 March 2026, the KPK carried out another sting operation against Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq. Just ten days later, on 13 March 2026, the KPK conducted another operation and arrested Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman.