Bought Seats, Broken Trust: KPK Raids Unsoed Over Student Admissions Scandal

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has carried out a series of raids across multiple locations in connection with an alleged corruption case involving new student admissions through the independent pathway at Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed).

KPK Spokesperson, Budi Prasetyo, confirmed that the searches began once the case was formally elevated to the investigation stage, with operations running from Sunday, August 23, through Monday, August 24.

On Sunday, investigators searched six residences belonging to the named suspects. The operation continued on Monday with additional searches at two more residences as well as Unsoed’s Rectorate Office.

Documents and Digital Evidence Point to Rigged Admissions

During the searches, investigators seized notes, documents, and electronic evidence connected to alleged efforts to reserve and manipulate spots for new students through the independent admissions track.

Notably, investigators also found a 2023 KPK circular inside the Rectorate Office itself — a document that had originally urged universities to strengthen transparency in student admissions, including quota disclosures, graduation criteria, affirmative action policies, institutional development contributions, admissions digitization, and complaint channels. The irony of finding the commission’s own transparency guidance at the scene of an alleged admissions scam has not gone unnoticed.

Six Named Suspects in Extortion and Bribery Case

KPK has named six suspects in the case: Unsoed Rector, Akhmad Sodiq; Vice Rector III, Norman Arie Prayogo; Head of Academic Affairs, Eko Sumanto; and three private individuals — Dian Mulia Wardhana, Adhi Wiharto, and Mulyono, the latter reportedly a nephew of Rector Sodiq.

The group is accused of extortion and accepting bribes tied to the 2025–2026 independent admissions cycle. Investigators say the scheme involved demanding payments from parents of prospective students and effectively auctioning off admission slots. Of roughly 245 available seats under the independent pathway, an estimated 73 are believed to have been set aside for sale.

During the sting operation, KPK recovered approximately Rp 665 million in cash, around Rp 99 million in bank deposits, along with documents and WhatsApp conversations allegedly tied to the scheme.

As of now, none of the named suspects have issued a public response. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) has expressed concern over the emerging legal case. (DAP/MFA)