Uproar Over Alleged Extortion in Kulon Progo Leads to Village Head and Residents Reporting Each Other to Police

A mutual reporting incident between residents and the village head has occurred in Kulon Progo Regency. The reports were triggered by allegations of illegal levies (pungli) carried out by the Garongan Village Head.

The case surfaced after going viral on social media. It began with a Garongan resident complaining about being asked for a sum of money when processing a population administration referral letter.

Based on posts across various social media platforms, the resident claimed to have been subjected to pungli while handling population administration and was asked to pay Rp500,000, though it was eventually negotiated down. A transaction of Rp300,000 took place with the Garongan Village Head.

The post then went viral, leading many to report the official village head to the Kulon Progo Police Resort. Subsequently, the Garongan Village Head reported the resident in return.

When confirmed, Garongan Village Head Ngadiman did not deny receiving Rp300,000 from the resident with initials A. The money went into his personal pocket and not into the village funds.

Ngadiman claimed the money was a gift given by A to him personally, not as the village head.

“Yes, they offered it. I accepted because in Javanese terms, it’s a sign of affection. It went into my personal account, not the village’s,” Ngadiman told reporters on Tuesday (27/4/2026).

“Oh no, there’s nothing like that. If it’s for village duties, it goes through the treasurer and assets. That’s personal,” he continued.

Additionally, he claimed not to have known when the resident transferred the money to his account.

“I didn’t know when it came in. Suddenly I was told, ‘Sir, I’ve done it. Alright, thank you.’ Here, they call it a sign of affection, a token of joy,” he said.

However, as time passed, A then posted information about the alleged pungli on social media. Initially, Ngadiman stayed silent, but after it attacked the village government, he reacted and reported the resident.

“That’s personal. But that personal matter is because of what? His attack makes it seem like my government is doing pungli. It’s not directly at Ngadiman, but at the government,” he said.

Ngadiman said the reason for reporting the resident was to bring clarity to the case.

“So that with mutual reports, there can be some confrontation or mediation so it’s not just one-sided news,” he stated.

The alleged pungli case has drawn the attention of the Kulon Progo Regency Government. The local government, along with relevant agencies, summoned Garongan Village Head Ngadiman on Monday (27/4) for clarification.

Kulon Progo Secretary Triyono expressed regret over the incident. He stated that, upholding the presumption of innocence, he requested the formation of a special inspection team.

“I ask the regional inspectorate to delve into this incident and report the results to the Regent of Kulon Progo as soon as possible,” Triyono said in his statement on Tuesday (28/4).

Triyono emphasised that all population administration processes are free of charge, referring to the mandate of Law No. 24 of 2013 on Population Administration.

“Article 79A of Law No. 24 of 2013 explicitly states that the management and issuance of population documents shall not be subject to any fees,” he said.

To date, the regency government states that the clarification results from the Garongan Village Head are still under further review by relevant agencies.

“This deepening process is being carried out to ensure whether there are procedural violations or abuse of authority at the village level,” he continued.

If, during the review process, violations or pungli practices by the village head official are proven, the Kulon Progo Regency Government commits to imposing firm sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Such sanctions may include administrative actions up to more severe penalties, depending on the level of violation found.

Triyono urged the public to report any officials demanding rewards in public services.

Contacted separately, the Head of Public Relations Section of Kulon Progo Police Resort, Iptu Sarjoko, confirmed the existence of the case reports. Both from the resident reporting the alleged pungli and from the village head filing a defamation complaint.

“It’s true, the resident reported on Sunday (26/4), then the village head side filed the defamation complaint yesterday. It is currently under handling,” Sarjoko said.