The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has unraveled an alleged extortion scheme orchestrated by Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman, targeting numerous local government units and officials. This significant revelation sheds light on a calculated effort to illicitly amass funds.
According to Asep Guntur Rahayu, the KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Regent Syamsul initiated the scheme by instructing Cilacap Regional Secretary (Sekda) Sadmoko Danardono to collect money. This directive was issued in anticipation of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday in 2026. “Brother AUL, as the Cilacap Regent, ordered Brother SAD, as the Regional Secretary, to collect money to fulfill his personal THR (holiday allowance) needs and those of external parties,” Asep stated during a press conference at the KPK‘s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Saturday, March 14.
The alleged scheme escalated as the Regional Secretary subsequently relayed the instruction to three regional assistants—Assistant I, II, and III—tasking them with calculating the required funds. During the collection process, local government units that had yet to make their payments were reportedly pursued by these assistants within their respective operational areas. Disturbingly, this coercive collection effort was even bolstered by the involvement of the Head of the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and the Head of the Food Security Agency, underscoring the coordinated nature of the operation.
Through this extensive extortion scheme, which impacted 23 local government units ranging from regional hospitals (RSUD) to community health centers (Puskesmas), Syamsul allegedly accumulated a staggering Rp 610 million. Of this substantial sum, Rp 515 million was purportedly earmarked for the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda). The KPK further disclosed that Syamsul also intended to allocate a portion of these ill-gotten gains for his personal holiday allowance, highlighting the breadth of his alleged financial misconduct.
However, the elaborate scheme was cut short before the distribution of these hundreds of millions to Forkopimda could take place. On Friday, March 13, during the ongoing collection, the KPK intervened with a series of sweeping arrests, apprehending 27 individuals across the Cilacap region. Following these initial arrests, 13 individuals were transported to Jakarta for intensive further examination by the anti-graft agency.
After conducting thorough interrogations and investigations, the KPK officially named two individuals as suspects in this high-profile corruption case: Syamsul Auliya Rachman and Sadmoko Danardono. For their alleged involvement, the suspects have been charged under Article 12 letter e and/or Article 12B of the Anti-Corruption Law (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP), signaling the severe legal consequences they now face.
Summary
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) uncovered an alleged extortion scheme orchestrated by Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman, aiming to collect funds for his personal holiday allowance (THR) and external parties for Eid al-Fitr 2026. Regent Syamsul reportedly instructed Regional Secretary Sadmoko Danardono to initiate the collection from 23 local government units. The scheme escalated with the involvement of three regional assistants, the Head of the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), and the Head of the Food Security Agency in pursuing payments.
Through this extensive scheme, an alleged Rp 610 million was amassed, with Rp 515 million intended for the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) and the remainder for the Regent’s personal use. Before the distribution could be completed, the KPK intervened on March 13, arresting 27 individuals across Cilacap. Following interrogations, Syamsul Auliya Rachman and Sadmoko Danardono were named suspects and charged under the Anti-Corruption Law.