Indonesia anti-graft agency arrests Pati regent in alleged job-for-sale scheme

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Pati Regent Sudewo along with senior local officials in a sting operation targeting alleged corruption in village-level appointments.

KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said nine people were taken into custody during an Operation Catching Hand (OTT) carried out on 19 January 2026. They include the regent of Pati in Central Java, two sub-district heads (camat), three village heads, and two prospective village officials.

All suspects were brought to KPK headquarters in Jakarta for intensive questioning.

According to Mr Prasetyo, investigators seized large sums of cash, amounting to billions of rupiah, believed to be linked to payments for securing positions within village administrations. Each post allegedly carried a fixed price, indicating what investigators described as a structured “buying and selling of offices”.

“This case relates to alleged payments received by the regent in connection with village government appointments,” Mr Prasetyo told reporters, adding that the alleged scheme covered roles such as village secretary and section heads.

He said KPK had already determined the legal status of those detained within 24 hours, although the commission would formally announce who has been named as suspects during a press conference later on Monday.

The investigation is focused on Pati, though some questioning was conducted outside the regency for operational reasons, KPK said.

The arrests come months after widespread public anger against Sudewo. In August 2025, hundreds of thousands of residents in Pati staged mass protests demanding his resignation, accusing him of arrogance and poor leadership.

The demonstrations were triggered by a decision by the Pati administration to raise rural and urban land and building taxes (PBB-P2) by up to 250%. Protesters were further angered by remarks attributed to Sudewo, in which he said he would allow demonstrations even if attended by “5,000 or 50,000 people”.

In a symbolic protest, residents collected and lined up thousands of boxes of bottled water along pavements outside the Pati regency office and later around the town square, mocking what they saw as the regent’s dismissive attitude toward public discontent.

KPK said the current case remains under development and investigators are examining whether similar practices extended beyond village appointments to other positions within the local government.

“This is only the initial focus,” Mr Prasetyo said. “Further developments will be conveyed as the investigation progresses.”