September 17, 2026 | 11:02 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In May 2023, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) issued a circular to all state universities urging them to improve their independent-track admissions systems. The circular came after the KPK arrested Karomani, then Rector of the University of Lampung, on suspicion of accepting bribes from prospective students seeking admission through the independent track in 2022.
A similar incident occurred on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The KPK arrested Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Rector Akhmad Sodiq on allegations that he had extorted prospective students seeking admission through the independent track. KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said Sodiq, through people close to him, allegedly promised prospective students that they would pass the selection. The following are excerpts from Budi’s interview with Tempo reporters Lani Diana and Fajar Pebrianto at the Red and White Building on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Is the alleged extortion of prospective students at Jenderal Soedirman University also occurring at other state universities?
The KPK suspects that corruption in independent-track admissions is also occurring at other campuses. That is why we have asked the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and all universities to immediately improve their systems.
What was the modus operandi?
One involves institutional development fees (IPI). Based on our findings, some universities offer different IPI amounts. Usually, the student who pays the most is the one the university admits.
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