Golkar Party denies Pemalang Regent is a cadre amid corruption probe

The Golkar Party has distanced itself from Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro, who is currently under investigation for alleged corruption. The party's Secretary-General, Muhamad Sarmuji, clarified that Widiyantoro is not a Golkar cadre but rather a professional figure who was supported by the party in the 2024 regional elections.

"Mr. Anom was actually a professional, initially from a state-owned enterprise position," Sarmuji explained. He emphasized that the actual Golkar cadre in the Pemalang leadership is the Deputy Regent, Nurkholes, who also serves as the Chairman of the Golkar Party's Advisory Council in the regency.

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Mr. Anom was actually a professional, initially from a state-owned enterprise position.

Despite Widiyantoro not being a party cadre, Sarmuji affirmed that Golkar takes responsibility for all regional heads it helps elect. The party is committed to reminding its supported officials about legal compliance and actively works to prevent corruption. "Starting from appeals, instructions, providing input, even perhaps training have been carried out, efforts to fence in every member who becomes a public official, both at the central and regional levels," Sarmuji stated.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained four individuals in connection with the alleged extortion case in Pemalang. Besides Widiyantoro, those arrested include his confidant Mohamad Haris, a police member assigned to the KPK named Setya Budi Dias Oktavianto, and Dias's father, Lilik Budi Suprianto. The KPK's operation, which included arrests in Pemalang, Purworejo, and Jakarta, reportedly uncovered a scheme involving the collection of Rp1.98 billion in illicit funds.

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Starting from appeals, instructions, providing input, even perhaps training have been carried out, efforts to fence in every member who becomes a public official, both at the central and regional levels.