Indonesian KPK Probes Former Regent's Husband in Extortion Case

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the involvement of Wardoyo Wijaya, husband of Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani, in an alleged extortion scheme within the local government. Wijaya himself previously served as the Sukoharjo regent from 2010 to 2021. Investigators are scrutinizing his role, particularly concerning the scale of extortion and whether it mirrors previous patterns.

"We are investigating the role of the previous regent regarding what Regent ETS did, especially concerning the amount of extortion which has a similar pattern and modus operandi," stated Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at KPK, on Monday, July 13, 2026. However, Rahayu emphasized that the primary focus remains on gathering evidence and questioning individuals already apprehended.

The KPK conducted a sting operation on Thursday, July 9, 2026, arresting 18 people across Sukoharjo, Solo, and Wonogiri. Nine individuals were brought to KPK headquarters in Jakarta for further questioning. Among those detained are Regent Etik Suryani, Head of the Sukoharjo Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BPKAD) Richard Tri Handoko, and Tri Mulyo, head of the General Affairs Bureau and a trusted aide to the regent. Other officials and a private individual were also arrested.

Investigators suspect Suryani used two Regent Decrees (SK) as a basis for extorting employees. These decrees concerned the acceptance and amount of regional tax and retribution collection incentives issued by BPKAD for 2026. The KPK alleges that Suryani instructed Handoko to collect approximately 40 percent of the incentives received by BPKAD employees.