The Undeterred Regional Heads

Regional heads and former regional heads constitute the majority of public leaders involved in corruption. KPK data show that the commission handled cases that involved 143 governors, mayors, regents or their deputies.

Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo

The Regent of Banjarnegara, Central Java, Budhi Sarwono (front center) with private entrepreneur Kedy Afandi (back) wearing a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detention vest after undergoing examination by the KPK investigator team at the KPK Building, Kuningan, Jakarta, Friday (3/9/2021) ).

“A regent or any other leader, of course, should be honest.” So said Saryono, 53, an ordinary member of the public who works as a becak (pedicab) driver at the town square in Banjarnegara.

Saryono’s expectation was revealed in a report in this daily on Monday (6/9/2021), after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) declared Budhi Sarwono, the Regent of Banjarnegara in Central Java, and his confidant Kedy Afandi, as suspects in a corruption case involving the procurement of goods and services in 2017-2018. Budhi allegedly received a “commission” totaling Rp 2.1 billion from infrastructure projects. Budhi has denied any involvement in corruption.