Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Pati Regent Sudewo as a suspect in an extortion case involving village official appointments. The sting operation took place on January 19, 2026, in Pati Regency, Central Java, seizing Rp2.6 billion in cash. Sudewo was questioned at Kudus Police Station for security reasons due to potential clashes with supporters.
Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted its third sting operation of 2026 on January 19, arresting Pati Regent Sudewo (SDW) and three village heads: Abdul Suyono (YON) from Karangrowo Village, Jakenan Subdistrict; Sumarjiono (JION) from Arumanis Village, Jaken Subdistrict; and Karjan (JAN) from Sukorukun Village, Jaken Subdistrict. All four were named suspects on January 20 for alleged extortion in filling 601 vacant village official positions.
Since November 2025, Sudewo is suspected of discussing the recruitment plan with trusted aides, including eight campaign team members appointed as subdistrict coordinators. Two of them, YON and JION, became suspects for collecting funds. By January 18, 2026, JION had gathered Rp2.6 billion from eight village heads in Jaken Subdistrict. Sudewo set an initial fee of Rp125 million to Rp150 million per position, but YON and JION inflated it to Rp165 million to Rp225 million for personal gain, accompanied by threats to non-payers.
On January 21, 2026, Sudewo arrived at KPK headquarters in Jakarta after questioning at Kudus Police Station, not Pati's, to avoid clashes with pro- and anti-loyalists. Acting Deputy for Enforcement Asep Guntur Rahayu explained, "Jadi itu strategi kita yang juga mempertimbangkan keamanan yang bersangkutan dan keamanan petugas juga lainnya." Sudewo denied any knowledge and claimed to be scapegoated, stating, "Saya betul-betul tidak mengetahui sama sekali." He denied receiving any rewards during his tenure and emphasized transparent selection processes.
KPK is also probing alleged job-selling at higher levels, and Sudewo as a suspect in a railway project bribery case at the Ministry of Transportation. The other six campaign team members were not named suspects.
