Gowa Regent Named Suspect: Four Extortion Schemes That Shook South Sulawesi
Baca dalam 60 detik
- Kortas Tipidkor Polri menetapkan Bupati Gowa Sitti Husniah Talenrang sebagai tersangka dalam kasus dugaan pemerasan terhadap pengembang dan pelaku usaha minimarket.
- Penyidik menemukan empat peristiwa pemerasan, termasuk permintaan uang Rp1–1,5 juta per rumah untuk pengurusan PKKPR dan Rp85 juta per gerai minimarket baru.
- Kasus ini menyoroti praktik korupsi di sektor perizinan daerah yang dapat menghambat iklim investasi dan meningkatkan biaya berusaha di daerah.
The Directorate of Corruption Crimes (Tipidkor) of the Indonesian National Police has officially named the Regent of Gowa, Sitti Husniah Talenrang, a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving extortion of several parties. The naming of the suspect marks a new chapter in law enforcement against a regional head suspected of abusing her authority for personal gain.
At a press conference in Jakarta on Friday (25/9/2026), the Director of Enforcement at the National Police's Tipidkor Corps, Brig. Gen. Robertus Yohanes De Deo, said the suspect designation was made after a case review involving investigators from the National Police's Tipidkor Corps, the South Sulawesi Regional Police's Ditreskrimsus, and the Gowa City Police's Satreskrim. “The forum has agreed to name the Regent of Gowa, Ms. HT, a suspect,” De Deo said.
The investigation, which has been underway for some time, has examined 30 witnesses and four experts, consisting of a criminal law expert, a corporate law expert, a linguist, and a regional government expert. In addition, investigators searched four locations: the Regent of Gowa's official residence, the Regent of Gowa's office, the home of a trusted aide with the initials HA, and the house of a person with the initials RP. From that series of examinations, investigators identified four separate extortion incidents.
The first incident concerns the processing of Spatial Use Activity Conformity Approvals (PKKPR) by housing developers. According to De Deo, Husniah asked for the list of applicants and the results of PKKPR deliberations to be reported to her. She then ordered the Head of the Housing, Settlement Areas and Land Affairs Office (Perkimtan) to ask developers for money based on the number of houses to be built, around Rp1 million to Rp1.5 million per unit. In practice, PT Royal Persada handed over Rp100 million and PT Renjana Rp50 million through Husniah's personal driver.
The second incident relates to the opening of minimarket outlets in Gowa Regency. After meeting with minimarket representatives, Husniah allegedly directed them to coordinate with HA, described as her trusted person. “Ms. HT, through Mr. HA, requested funds under the guise of CSR amounting to Rp85 million for each opening of a new outlet,” De Deo explained. This scheme resembles illegal levies wrapped as corporate social responsibility.
The other two incidents are still being traced by investigators, but the same pattern is visible: the use of power to demand compensation for permits or facilities that should be granted without conditions. This case reflects how vulnerable regional permit governance is to corrupt practices.
“Investigators found facts that Husniah asked for the list of applicants and the results of PKKPR deliberations to be reported to her, then ordered the Head of the Perkimtan Office to ask developers for money,” said Brig. Gen. Robertus Yohanes De Deo.
For businesses, especially property developers and modern retailers, this case is a reminder that unofficial costs can erode margins and business certainty. In many regions, convoluted permitting processes often become an opening for rogue officials to demand compensation. Such practices harm not only the business world but also end consumers who bear price increases due to hidden costs.
From an investment perspective, naming a regional head a suspect can trigger short-term uncertainty in Gowa Regency. Property projects and retail expansion may be delayed for a while, pending legal clarity. However, firm law enforcement is precisely what is needed to improve the long-term investment climate. The central government and law enforcement officials need to ensure that the legal process runs transparently and without favoritism.
This case also highlights the importance of oversight of regional governments, especially in issuing permits that affect the business world. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Ministry of Home Affairs are expected to strengthen prevention systems, for example through permit digitalization and layered oversight. Without systemic improvement, the potential for corruption in the permitting sector will continue to recur.
Going forward, the public will wait to see whether this investigation will uncover a wider network or stop at one regional head. The big question: will this case become a turning point for improving regional permit governance, or just a small ripple swallowed by the vortex of bureaucracy?
