Two witnesses in the Pati regent Sudewo corruption case suspected of obstructing the investigation
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects two witnesses in the case involving Pati regent Sudewo attempted to impede the handling of the matter by coordinating the statements of other witnesses called by the KPK. The allegation was explored as KPK questioned the two witnesses, Noor Eva Khasanah, Head of the Subdivision of Administration at Puskesmas Tambakromo, and Sudiyono, Head of Angkatan Lor Village, on Wednesday 4 March 2026.
‘Investigators are examining possible actions by these two witnesses to gather other witnesses and influence their statements,’ KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said in a statement on Thursday 5 March 2026. ‘This could in fact impede the ongoing investigation. Therefore, we urge other witnesses to cooperate by providing truthful and complete statements to investigators during examinations,’ he added.
KPK has named Pati regent Sudewo as a suspect in a case related to alleged extortion in filling village apparatus positions within Pati Regency on Tuesday 20 January 2026. Beyond Sudewo, KPK also named Abdul Suyono, head of Karangrowo Village, Sumarjiono, head of Arumanis Village, and Karjan, head of Sukorukun Village.
KPK said the case began in late 2025 when the Pati Regency Government planned to open vacancies for village officials in March 2026. Accordingly, Sudewo, together with members of his campaign team or trusted associates, planned to demand money from the Calon Perangkat Desa (Caperdes). Several village heads who were part of Sudewo’s campaign team were appointed as district coordinators.
‘Since November 2025, it has been known that Sudewo discussed the plan to fill the desa official positions with his campaign team,’ said Asep.
He noted that two village heads, Abdul Suyono and Sumarjiono, contacted village heads in their areas to instruct collecting money from the Caperdes. By 18 January 2026, Sumarjiono had collected funds amounting to Rp 2.6 billion from eight village heads in Jarken District. The money was collected by Sumarjiono and Karjan to be handed over to Suyono and allegedly forwarded to Sudewo.
The suspects are charged with violating Article 12(e) of Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 in conjunction with Article 20(c) of the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP).