Account Opening and Closing Modus Operandi Revealed in Muara Enim Regent Sting Operation

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed how Muara Enim Regent Edison channelled proceeds of corruption linked to procurement at the Regency’s Education and Culture Office. The illicit funds were stored in accounts belonging to other people using a modus operandi of opening and closing accounts. The corruption case involving Regent Edison came to light after the KPK conducted a sting operation (OTT) in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra, on Sunday evening (7 June). As a result, the KPK named Regent Edison a suspect in a bribery case related to procurement projects at the Muara Enim Regency Education and Culture Office. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo confirmed the development, stating Edison was among those arrested. Besides Edison, three other suspects were named, comprising state administrators and private sector actors. One of the three is Regent Edison’s nephew. The suspects are Regent Edison; Abi Nurwardani, Secretary of the Education and Culture Office for 2026; Adi Triyadi, the regent’s nephew; and Cory Erin Hardi, a marketing representative for PT Millenium Solusi Abadi. Budi stated that Edison and his associates used other people’s accounts to store the proceeds of corruption. These receptacle accounts had been prepared in advance by the group. The parties prepared receptacle accounts to hold suspected receipts from private sector actors related to various procurements within the Muara Enim Regency Government, including one at the Education and Culture Office. Budi noted that more than one account was used, with accounts being created repeatedly. The individuals used several nominee accounts with an open-close modus operandi, meaning they would open a receptacle account, and once the funds were distributed, they would open a new one. One of the nominee accounts discovered was registered under the name of an office boy, while others were under the names of employees within the Muara Enim Regency Government. The KPK seized IDR 2 billion in cash resulting from the sting operation. The evidence included banknotes in rupiah, riyal, and dollars. Investigators also seized balances from bank accounts suspected to be linked to receipts obtained by Regent Edison, with the total amount secured reaching nearly IDR 2 billion.