Jakarta. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said on Thursday that one of its own employees had been arrested as part of an investigation linked to the corruption case involving Pemalang Regent Anom Widiyantoro, marking an unusual twist in the agency's latest anti-graft operation.

KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo identified the employee as Setya Budi Dias Oktavianto, an administrative staff member.

Budi said the agency had opened a separate investigation into allegations that the employee extorted the Pemalang regent.

"There is a second investigation into alleged corruption and extortion committed by a KPK employee against the Pemalang regent," Budi told reporters.

He declined to elaborate on Setya's alleged role, saying the investigation remains at an early stage.

Setya's father, Lilik Budi Suprianto, was also named as a suspect in the case.

Earlier on Thursday, KPK formally detained Anom, Setya, Lilik, and businessman Mohamad Haris following lengthy questioning.

Appearing before reporters in handcuffs, Anom denied committing corruption but apologized to the public.

"I understand the situation, and I apologize to everyone," he said.

The KPK conducted raids at several locations in Pemalang two days earlier and seized an undisclosed amount of cash.

Preliminary findings indicate that Anom allegedly accepted bribes related to infrastructure projects and to the promotion and recruitment of local government officials.

The commission, however, has yet to disclose the full details of the alleged corruption scheme.

Anom is the 12th regional leader arrested by the KPK in the first seven months of 2026.