The Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Muhaimin Iskandar, widely known as Cak Imin, has expressed profound concern and disbelief following the arrest of Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman in a corruption case by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The news has sent ripples through the party, as Syamsul is indeed one of PKB’s prominent cadres.
Despite the disheartening development, Cak Imin affirmed his unwavering respect for the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the KPK. Speaking from the PKB Central Executive Board headquarters in Jakarta on Sunday, March 15, he reiterated, “We are indeed concerned and did not expect this. Of course, we must respect the legal process.”
Beyond acknowledging the legal course, Cak Imin also took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to other regional leaders affiliated with PKB. He urged them to learn from Syamsul’s unfortunate predicament and avoid succumbing to similar pitfalls. “What’s important is that all PKB regents must never get entangled in anything dangerous that leads to corruption,” he emphasized, signaling the party’s firm stance against graft.
The Cilacap Regent Case Unveiled
The extensive corruption scheme came to light through a meticulously planned sting operation (Operasi Tangkap Tangan – OTT) conducted by the KPK in the Cilacap region on Friday, March 13. This swift and discreet operation led to the apprehension of 27 individuals, ultimately naming two key figures as suspects:
– Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman; and
– Cilacap Regional Secretary (Sekda) Sadmoko Danardono.
Allegations suggest that Regent Syamsul specifically instructed Sadmoko to orchestrate the collection of holiday allowance (THR) money. These funds were reportedly intended for distribution to external parties, particularly the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) within the Cilacap Regency administration, raising serious questions about the abuse of power.
Further investigations revealed that Sadmoko, in collaboration with Sumbowo (Assistant I for Cilacap Regency), Ferry Adhi (Assistant II for Cilacap), and Budi Santoso (Assistant III for Cilacap), discussed the substantial financial requirement for these external THR payments, which amounted to Rp 515 million. To meet this sum, they allegedly solicited various amounts from each regional agency, setting an ambitious target of Rp 750 million.
The collected contributions from these regional agencies varied significantly, ranging from Rp 3 million to Rp 100 million per entity. Regent Syamsul had allegedly set a firm deadline of March 13 for these target funds to be met. Reports indicate that he went as far as to instruct the Head of the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and the Head of the Food Agency to intervene and actively collect from any departments that had not yet paid their share, highlighting the coercive nature of the scheme.
During the period of March 9-13, a total of 23 regional agencies had already deposited funds, accumulating Rp 610 million. These illicit funds were slated to be handed over to the Regional Secretary before being passed on to the Regent. However, the KPK’s timely sting operation intercepted the transfer, thwarting the final stages of the alleged corrupt transaction and bringing the entire scheme to an abrupt halt.
Summary
PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin) expressed shock and concern regarding the arrest of Cilacap Regent Syamsul Auliya Rachman, a PKB cadre, in a corruption case by the KPK. Cak Imin affirmed his respect for the ongoing legal process. He also issued a strong warning, urging all PKB regional leaders to avoid similar corrupt practices.
The corruption scheme was uncovered through a KPK sting operation on March 13, leading to Syamsul and Regional Secretary Sadmoko Danardono being named suspects. Syamsul allegedly instructed Sadmoko to collect holiday allowance funds for external distribution, soliciting contributions ranging from Rp 3 million to Rp 100 million from various regional agencies. The KPK intercepted Rp 610 million collected from 23 agencies between March 9-13, preventing the final transfer of these illicit funds.