Tulungagung Regent Gatut Sunu Detained as Suspect in Extortion Case

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Regent of Tulungagung, Gatut Sunu Wibowo, and his aide Dwi Yoga Ambal were immediately detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) after being named as suspects in a case of alleged extortion and other gratuities within the Tulungagung Regency Government. “The KPK has subsequently carried out the detention of the suspects for the initial 20 days from 11-30 April 2026. The detention is being carried out at the KPK’s Red and White Building Branch State Detention Centre,” stated Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, during a press conference at the KPK’s Red and White Building, Saturday (11/4/2026). The officials were reportedly required to sign statements of readiness to resign from their positions and as civil servants if they were unable to carry out the tasks and responsibilities assigned to them. These letters, with blank dates, are suspected to have been used as leverage against department heads to meet the regent’s demands, including cash contributions. “Those who are not loyal to the Regent face the threat of being removed from their positions or even resigning as civil servants,” said Asep. The collection of money was carried out by Gatut’s aide, Dwi Yoga Ambal, who often treated the department heads like debtors during the process. Asep stated that Gatut targeted the collection of up to Rp5 billion from department leaders. The contribution amounts varied between Rp15 million and Rp2.8 billion. “This money is suspected to have been used for personal interests such as buying shoes, medical treatment, meals, and other personal needs that were also requested or charged to the department budgets,” said Asep. Not only that, the proceeds from the extortion were also used to provide holiday allowances (THR) to several members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda). In addition to extortion, Gatut also arranged several goods and services procurement projects to benefit his associates. One of the projects he influenced was the procurement of medical equipment for Tulungagung General Hospital. For their actions, the suspects are charged with committing corruption offences as referred to in Article 12 letter e or Article 12B of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on the eradication of criminal acts of corruption in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.