Thekabarnews.com—The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) gets a lot of corruptors throughout Ramadan. The KPK is now known as “Specialist in Catching Regents.”

The KPK recently arrested Fadia Arafiq, the Pekalongan Regent. M. Fikri Thobari, the Rejang Lebong Regent, also went to jail not long after that.

Some people might assume that is enough for the iftar meal. It turns out that it isn’t. The KPK casts its net again, just like a fisherman who casts his net once to catch more fish. Authorities detained the Cilacap regent, who leads the industrial city on the southern coast of Central Java.

The name that emerged from the network does not refer to a normal individual. He is not just a parking attendant from the regent’s office who happened to walk into the conference room. Syamsul Auliya Rachman leads Cilacap.

If a human CV could talk, it may say, “I am too honorable to get involved in a case.” A graduate of the Institute of Domestic Government with an S.STP degree went on to get a master’s degree in public administration from Jenderal Soedirman University and subsequently a PhD in government science. He is a doctor!

Even when someone is simply holding a microphone, the title of doctor gives them an air of intelligence.

His life narrative is like a motivational pamphlet for young people in the country. H. Imam Haryono and Hj. Mumbasiroh had a baby on November 30, 1985, in Cilacap.

He completed his education at SD Negeri Tritih Wetan 01, SMP Negeri 5 Cilacap, and later SMA Negeri 1 Cilacap—a steady academic journey that reflected a smooth path of learning.

His career took off with a sudden burst of energy. He became the head of the Public Order and Security Section in Kedungreja District in 2011. Officials appointed him head of the Regional Autonomy and Cooperation Subdivision at the Cilacap Regional Secretariat.

Syamsul Auliya Rachman used to work as the regent’s assistant. In 2017, he was promoted from aide to deputy regent of Cilacap. Then, in the 2024 Pilkada, he and Ammy Amalia Fatma Surya won with 414,533 votes, which was around 43.81 percent of the legal votes.

True. Allowed by law. The people have spoken.

He is also a key member of the PKB Party, where he is the chairman of the Cilacap DPC. He participates in various organizations such as HIPMI, ISNU, and PBSI Cilacap, which are active in supporting community programs and business initiatives in the area. His wife, Dr. Ira Tanti Sartika, and their two kids seem to have a perfect family life.

In summary, a statue of the “Ideal Young Regional Leader” would probably resemble Syamsul. Just put it up in the town square, add some lights, and let it be an inspiration.

But this country is quite good at coming up with story twists, often leading to unexpected outcomes that can change the course of events dramatically.

On the night of March 13, 2026, in a month that should have been full of remembering and iftar, the KPK set up a sting operation in Cilacap. A big job. Authorities protected around 27 people, including government officials, civil servants, and civilians. The regent was one of them.

How much money was found? Not yet made public. The KPK has 24 hours left to give the details. But the public already knows how things work. The amount of money could be hundreds of millions or even a few billion. But the enterprise behind it is often worth tens to hundreds of billions of dollars, which is like a sea monster.

This realm is where the Indonesian tragicomedy always gets it right. There are plenty of smart people in this country and plenty of doctors there. There are many authorities whose resumes are thicker than students’ theses. Shame is often the one missing thing.

Corruption in this country is odd. He is not terrified about getting a doctorate. He is not scared about taking the oath of office. Even though it was Ramadan, he didn’t care. He stepped in, sat down at the desk, and then murmured, “Just a little bit is OK.”

That whisper is often stronger than the voice of the heart, which is strange.

At the same time, the KPK seems like a really skilled fisherman. Authorities caught one regent, then threw the net again and caught another. If this trend keeps up, people might one day make fun of it and say, “If you want to see an Indonesian regent, you do not have to travel to the government office; just wait for the KPK press conference.”

The OTT itself is not the saddest part. The same pattern over and over again makes me sick. People praise a leader to the skies, calling him the region’s hope, a “clever young guy,” a “visionary leader,” and the “pride of the region.”

Then, one night, all those good things fell apart like a cardboard stage in the rain.

People in this country have learned something very hard again: sometimes a PhD title just makes the name on the prison board longer.

“The regent was caught again. Minister or Governor, a show of corruption would be more fun, bang.”

“That is right, Wak. The KPK is still acting like a child. At the same time, the center experiences the highest level of corruption.” Oops.

By: Rosadi Jamani, Chairman of Satupena West Kalimantan.

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