JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—The Indonesian National Police’s corruption eradication corps (Kortastipidkor) has named Gowa Regent Sitti Husniah Talenrang a suspect in an investigation. The case concerns alleged permit-related extortion, gratuities and money laundering.

Police announced the decision in Jakarta on Friday, September 25, after investigators conducted a case review. The alleged conduct involved building and spatial-use permits issued in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, during 2025 and 2026.

“The case-review forum agreed to name Gowa Regent HT [Sitti Husniah Talenrang] as a suspect,” Kortastipidkor enforcement director Brig. Gen. Robertus Yohanes De Deo said.

Investigators questioned about 30 witnesses and four experts before assigning her suspect status. They also searched four locations, including the regent’s office and official residence. A suspect designation represents an investigative finding and does not constitute a conviction.

Police divided the case into four clusters. The first cluster concerns applications for Approval of the Suitability of Spatial Utilization Activities (PKKPR). This document confirms whether proposed developments comply with spatial-planning rules.

Investigators allege that Husniah directed a local agency head to demand between Rp1 million and Rp1.5 million for each house. This payment was for all houses covered by developers’ applications.

Police said two developers transferred a combined Rp150 million through an intermediary identified by the initials HA.

The second cluster involves permits for new Indomaret outlets. Investigators allege that businesses paid Rp85 million per outlet under the description of corporate social responsibility funding. Police traced Rp850 million from payments associated with 10 proposed outlets.

A third allegation concerns building approval fees (PBG) for the Sakura II site plan at the Royal Spring residential development. Police claim Husniah requested a 70-percent discount on a house priced at Rp1.4 billion. This reduced the purchase price to Rp420 million.

Investigators are also examining the source of funds used for the remaining payment.

The fourth cluster concerns a Rp100 million sponsorship request for the Beautiful Malino tourism event. Police are investigating whether officials linked the request to plans for a new Indomaret outlet. They are also examining how the event organizer used the money.

“The cash identified in this case totals Rp1.1 billion so far,” Robertus said. That amount excludes the alleged property discount and remains subject to further financial tracing.

Police have seized a Royal Spring house valued at about Rp1.4 billion. They have also seized a mortgaged property in Makassar valued at approximately Rp3.5 billion and a 2025 Toyota HiAce estimated at Rp682 million.

The seizures form part of the investigation and do not by themselves establish that the assets represent criminal proceeds.

Investigators applied Article 12(e) and Article 12B of Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Law. They also invoked Article 607(1)(a) of the national Criminal Code for the alleged laundering offense.

As of Saturday, police had not detained Husniah, saying she had cooperated with the investigation. Authorities plan to question her again as a suspect. In addition, they will continue to trace assets and examine whether other parties played a role.

Husniah’s lawyer, Adhi Bintang, said the defense respected the legal process but questioned aspects of the investigation. The defense planned to challenge the suspect designation through a pretrial motion.

“A legal status is not the final conclusion of a case,” Adhi said, calling on the public to uphold the presumption of innocence.

The investigation will now focus on verifying each alleged payment. It will also determine the ownership and source of the seized assets and establish individual responsibility before prosecutors decide whether the case should proceed to trial.