Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detained Sidoarjo Regent Ahmad Muhdlor Ali on Tuesday over allegations that he had illegally cut financial incentives allocated for staff members in the local tax office for personal gain.

Muhdlor voluntarily came to the KPK building in Jakarta for an interrogation after skipping the previous summons but he was immediately detained.

KPK deputy Chairman Johanis Tanak said investigators had seized Rp 2.7 billion (approximately $168,000) banknotes as preliminary evidence against the regent.

Muhdlor and two other suspects have conspired to collect “between 10 percent and 30 percent of financial incentives” intended for staff members of the Sidoarjo Tax Service Office (BPPD) in 2023 to enrich themselves, Johanis said.

The other suspects have been identified as BPPD Head Ari Suryono and BPPD General Affairs and Human Resources Manager Siska Wati.

Siska collected the money on Ari’s order and handed the cash to Muhdlor via the regent’s driver, Johanis said.

Siska was arrested during a KPK operation on January 25 and a further investigation revealed the regent’s role in the illegal surcharges.

Muhdlor, a member of the National Awakening Party (PKB), has filed a pre-trial motion challenging his designation as a suspect.

The 33-year-old assumed office in February 2021 and has since won several awards as an inspirational young leader ironically for his anti-graft programs.