KPK detains Pemalang regent in surprise sting operation

PEMALANG, thekabarnews.com—Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation (OTT) in Pemalang, Central Java, on Wednesday, July 29, detaining Regent Anom Widiyantoro and several other individuals for intensive questioning.

KPK Deputy Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto confirmed the operation in a brief written statement.

“Correct,” Fitroh said.

KPK has not disclosed the suspected offense that prompted the operation, the number of people detained, where the arrests took place, or whether investigators seized money or other evidence.

Fitroh also stopped short of confirming reports that Widiyantoro’s wife was among those taken in for questioning. Until the KPK issues an official statement, no credible source can verify claims about her involvement.

Those detained will undergo intensive questioning while investigators examine evidence collected during the operation. Investigators will use the process to decide whether to name them as suspects, release them, or question them as witnesses.

Under Article 96 of Indonesia’s new Criminal Procedure Code, enacted through Law No. 20/2025, an arrest may generally last no longer than 24 hours unless another law provides otherwise. The code took effect on January 2, 2026. 

The KPK is therefore expected to announce the detained parties’ legal status within that period. An arrest or questioning does not by itself establish guilt, as reported by Indonesia’s Constitutional Court.

Pemalang voters elected Widiyantoro and Deputy Regent Nurkholes to lead the regency for the 2025–2030 term. They secured 278,043 votes, or 44.51% of valid ballots, in the 2024 regional election, according to the Pemalang Regency Administration.

The operation carries added significance because the KPK previously prosecuted Pemalang’s former regent, Mukti Agung Wibowo, over an alleged scheme involving payments for local government positions.

The KPK said payments allegedly ranged from Rp15 million to Rp100 million, depending on the position sought, according to the KPK case record.

Before the Pemalang operation, the KPK’s latest sting targeted West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini. 

Investigators later alleged corruption involving 32 procurement packages and secured evidence valued at approximately Rp9.06 billion. The case includes alleged conflicts of interest, procurement bribery and gratuities.

The KPK is expected to provide further details after it completes its initial examination.