KPK Detains 15, Including Two Regional Heads, in Madiun Sting Operation

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested 15 individuals in a series of sting operations carried out in Madiun City, East Java, on Monday, January 19, 2026. Two of those detained are regional heads in East Java. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed that they are Pati Regent Sudewo and Madiun Mayor Maidi. According to Budi, Maidi and nine other suspects will be transported to Jakarta for further questioning, while Sudewo is undergoing intensive examination at the Kudus Police Headquarters in Central Java. The arrests are suspected to be linked to the collection of project fees and the misuse of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds in the Madiun area. Investigators have secured evidence in the form of hundreds of millions of rupiah in cash. However, the KPK has not yet disclosed the exact schedule for the examination of Maidi and the other suspects at the commission’s headquarters in Jakarta. The operation marks the KPK’s second sting action in 2026. Earlier this year, the agency conducted its first operation on January 9–10, detaining eight individuals. On January 11, the KPK announced that the case involved alleged bribery related to tax audits at the North Jakarta Medium Tax Office under the Directorate General of Taxes for the 2021–2026 period. On January 19, the KPK confirmed its second sting operation of the year with the arrest of Madiun Mayor Maidi and 14 others in connection with suspected corruption involving public projects and corporate social and environmental responsibility funds in Madiun, East Java. On the same day, the commission also confirmed conducting a third sting operation in 2026 in Pati, Central Java. The examination of Sudewo is being carried out by KPK investigators at the Kudus Police Headquarters. In accordance with Indonesia’s Criminal Code Procedures (KUHAP), the KPK has a maximum of 24 hours to determine the legal status of Sudewo and other individuals arrested in the Pati operation.