Unsoed Rector arrested in student admission bribery scandal

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested and named Ahmad Sodiq, Rector of Universitas Jenderal Soedirman (Unsoed), as a suspect in a bribery and gratification case linked to the university's new student admission process. The sting operation exposed alleged schemes involving the sale of coveted positions in popular faculties, particularly medicine, to prospective students.

During Sodiq's tenure as rector for the 2025-2026 period, at least three fraudulent methods were reportedly employed to secure admission through illegal channels. One scheme involved alleged demands of hundreds of millions of rupiah for a medical school "seat," with one reported price tag of Rp650 million. Even after payment, some candidates reportedly failed to pass the independent selection, leading to demands for refunds. Intermediaries allegedly funneled these demands to Vice Rector Norman Arie Prayogo, who then, with Sodiq's knowledge, borrowed money from private sources.

To repay these loans, a company owned by Sodiq's nephew, Mulyono, was awarded three university projects: canopy procurement, canteen renovation, and building painting. The payments for these projects were allegedly used to settle the Rp650 million debt. In a second alleged modus operandi, Sodiq directly instructed Mulyono to "not ask for it upfront" and "if given, say thank you" regarding funds from parents seeking admission through the independent pathway. This tactic reportedly allowed Mulyono to accumulate approximately Rp680 million in alleged gratification, which Sodiq then used to purchase land in Mulyono's name.