JAKARTA, LITERASIHUKUM.COM — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is again examining a number of parties to unravel the complexities of alleged extortion of positions within the Pati Regency Government. The former Acting Regional Secretary of Pati, Riyoso, underwent intensive examination at the KPK's Red and White Building on Monday (13/4/2026). The examination was carried out in his capacity as a witness to explore the construction of the case and trace the chain of command of the flow of funds that ensnared the inactive Regent of Pati, Sudewo.

The anti-corruption agency's move to summon the former high-ranking regional bureaucratic official is crucial to map out the extent of the regent's intervention in the village apparatus recruitment process. In this corruption crime scandal, the KPK has named Sudewo, who was the regional head for the 2025–2030 period, as the main suspect. Suspect status was also assigned to three village heads who acted as his accomplices, namely Abdul Suyono from Karangrowo Village, Sumarjiono from Arumanis Village, and Karjan from Sukorukun Village.

Investigators' findings reveal a structured modus operandi. Sudewo is alleged to have abused his authority by setting a position tariff of one hundred and twenty-five million to one hundred and fifty million rupiah for each prospective village official. By his accomplices, the dark tariff was then inflated again to one hundred and sixty-five million to two hundred and twenty-five million rupiah per individual. To accommodate and facilitate this fraudulent practice, the inactive regent systematically formed a special group called "Team 8" consisting of loyalists from his success team. Through a series of legal operations, the KPK has so far confiscated evidence in the form of cash worth 2.6 billion rupiah.

Doctrinally, the commercialization of public positions at the village government level is a form of bureaucratic crime that undermines the principle of good governance. The forced deposit of a number of funds outside the provisions of the Regional Regulation meets the qualifications of extortion in office (kneading) as strictly regulated in Article 12 letter e of Law Number 31 of 1999 juncto Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption. Going forward, the testimony of structural witnesses such as the former Acting Regional Secretary is expected to perfect the evidence mens rea the suspects before this case is transferred to the Corruption Court.