MADIUN, MCE – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a targeted Enforcement Operation (OTT) in East Java on Monday (1/19/2026), resulting in the apprehension of the Mayor of Madiun, Maidi. The operation marks a significant move by the anti-graft agency in curbing regional government corruption.
The spokesperson for the KPK, Budi Prasetyo, confirmed the operation, stating that it was the culmination of a discrete investigation into alleged irregularities within the city’s administration.
"It is correct that today, Monday, January 19, 2026, the team conducted a closed investigation activity, securing 15 individuals in the Madiun area, East Java," Budi stated in an official release on Monday.
Following the initial sweep, nine out of the 15 individuals detained were immediately transported to the KPK headquarters in Jakarta for further interrogation. Among those being escorted for intensive questioning is the Mayor of Madiun.
"Subsequently, nine of them were taken to Jakarta for further examination. One of them is the Mayor of Madiun," Budi added.
Under the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the commission has 24 hours to determine the legal status of the detained individuals and decide whether to formally name them as suspects.
During the sting, investigators seized a significant amount of evidence in the form of cash, totaling hundreds of millions of rupiah. Preliminary findings suggest that the funds were intended as illicit kickbacks related to public sector activities.
"This catch-in-the-act operation is allegedly related to project fees and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds within the Madiun City area," Budi explained.
The inclusion of CSR funds in this corruption probe has drawn particular attention. Investigators are currently tracing the flow of these social responsibility grants, which were supposedly designated for community development but were allegedly diverted to serve as personal incentives for public officials.
As the investigation unfolds at the KPK’s "Red and White" building in Jakarta, the public awaits a formal press conference regarding the specific construction of the case and the official designation of suspects. This operation serves as a stark reminder of the agency's ongoing vigilance toward regional governance and the management of non-budgetary funds. (bp).
