Dismissed After 6-Year Prison Sentence
Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian officially removed Ade Kuswara Kunang from the post of Bekasi Regent. The decision is set out in Home Minister Decree No. 100.2.1.3-3201 of 2026, signed on October 8, 2026, and effective September 22, 2026.
Ade's removal from the Bekasi regent seat for the 2025–2030 term was based on a copy of the Bandung District Court Class IA Special Decision No. 43/Pid.Sus-TPK/2026/PN Bdg dated September 14, 2026. In its verdict, the panel of judges declared Ade guilty of corruption.
For his actions, Ade Kuswara Kunang was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay a fine of Rp300 million. If the fine is not paid, it will be replaced with 100 days of imprisonment.
The dismissal also refers to a letter from the West Java Governor No. 9410/OD.03.02/PEMOTDA dated October 1, 2026, proposing the formal dismissal of the Bekasi Regent.
DPRD Proposes Asep Surya Atmaja as Definitive Regent
The Bekasi Regency DPRD held a plenary session in Cikarang Pusat on Friday (10/16/2026) to follow up on Ade Kuswara Kunang's dismissal. In the session, the council proposed acting Bekasi Regent dr. Asep Surya Atmaja as definitive Bekasi Regent for the remainder of the 2025–2030 term.
Bekasi DPRD Chairman Ade Sukron Hanas explained that once approved in the plenary session, the proposal dossier will be forwarded through the West Java Provincial Government for further processing by the Home Ministry.
Filling the deputy regent post was not discussed in the plenary session. That process will follow the prevailing mechanism once Asep's appointment as definitive regent is complete.
For now, the regional government awaits the completion of administrative stages at the provincial level and the Home Ministry. Until ratification and inauguration are done, Asep Surya Atmaja continues to serve as acting Bekasi Regent.
New Hope for Bekasi Regency
In his remarks, Asep stressed the importance of maintaining continuity of governance by complying with laws and regulations, preserving regional stability, and ensuring public services and development keep running.
"Continuity of governance must be safeguarded through stronger synergy, communication, and cooperation among all parties," Asep said. He also urged all regional government ranks to strengthen coordination with the DPRD, Forkopimda, and other stakeholders.
Tombak Keadilan Rakyat (TKR) Chairman Agus Budiono called the DPRD plenary news a new hope for the people of Bekasi Regency. "The public's hope for a definitive regent is legal certainty, sustainable development, and effective public services," he said.
According to Agus, unlike an acting official with limited authority, a definitive regent holds full power under the law, including setting long-term policies without needing the Home Minister's written approval.
The Trail of Ade Kunang's Corruption Case
Ade Kuswara Kunang previously served as the youngest-ever Bekasi Regent before being ensnared in a corruption case. The Bandung District Court panel declared him guilty of corruption under the prosecutors' second alternative indictment.
The legal case against Ade has become final and binding (inkracht), prompting the DPRD and various community figures to press for the swift appointment of a definitive regent to safeguard stability, legal certainty, and the optimization of Bekasi Regency's administration.
With the Home Minister's decree issued and the DPRD's proposal in place, Bekasi Regency is now one step closer to having a definitive leader. The public awaits the completion of administrative stages at the Home Ministry and the official inauguration schedule for dr. Asep Surya Atmaja.
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