KPK: Sudewo and others' extortion money of Rp2.6 billion is stored in a sack

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said that extortion money related to the filling of village apparatus positions in Pati Regency was found in a sack during the hand-in-hand operation (OTT) on Monday, January 19.

This was conveyed by the acting (Plt) Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, when announcing the status of the suspect, Pati Regent Sudewa or Sudewo, along with three village heads and carrying out the detention today.

Initially, he revealed that the money found reached billions of rupiah.

"The KPK team also secured a number of evidence in the form of cash worth Rp. 2.6 billion," said Asep at a press conference at the KPK Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Tuesday, January 20 evening.

Asep said the money was found from Abdul Suyono (YON) as the Karangrowo Kades, Jakenan District; Sumarjiono (JION) as the Arumanis Kades, Jakenan District; and Karjan (JAN) as the Sukorukun Kades, Jakenan District who are suspects in this case.

"This has been cleaned up because the money was found in a sack," he said when the evidence money was shown.

Asep explained that the extortion occurred after the Pati Regency Government announced that it would open a village apparatus position formation in March 2026 at the end of 2025. There are a total of 601 vacant positions that must be filled.

"The information was then allegedly used by SDW's brother as the Regent of Pati for the 2025-2030 period together with a number of members of the successful team (timses) or people he trusted to ask for money from the Village Device Candidates (Caperdes)," he said.

The discussion is said to have occurred since November 2025. Furthermore, Abdul Suyono and Sumarjiono contacted village heads in the Jakenan area to collect money from prospective village cadres.

"Based on the SDW directive, YON and JION then set a tariff of Rp. 165 million to Rp. 225 million for each Caperdes who applied. The amount of the tariff has been marked up by YON and JION from the previous Rp. 125 million to Rp. 150 million," explained Asep.

In the collection of money, threats were also conveyed. "If Caperdes does not follow the provisions, then the village device formation will not be reopened in the following years," he said.

The money was then collected by Sumarjiono and Karjan who served as collectors. "Then handed over to YON, which was then allegedly passed on to SDW."

As a result of his actions, Sudewo and his colleagues were suspected of violating Article 12 letter e of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 jo Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code.

They were also detained for the first 20 days at the KPK Detention Center. This detention will be extended as needed by investigators.