Anti-Corruption Commission Arrests Rejang Lebong Regent in Operation

Regent of Rejang Lebong Muhammad Fikri Thobari was arrested during a KPK overnight operation on Monday, 9 March. He officially assumed office as regent of Rejang Lebong for the 2025-2030 period following victory in the 2024 simultaneous regional elections. The KPK conducted the operation against the Rejang Lebong regent, who is now in custody along with several staff members.

Muhammad Fikri Thobari is a leading cadre of the National Mandate Party (PAN). He holds a strategic position as chair of the PAN regional leadership (DPD) in Rejang Lebong Regency. In his candidacy for the 2024 regional elections, Thobari, paired with Hendri, was nominated by a major party coalition comprising PAN, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and the Democratic Party.

Before assuming office as regional head, Thobari was president director of PT Bukit Juvi Group, a company operating in the property sector. In the organisational sphere, he actively led the Rejang Lebong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the Association of Settlement and Housing Developers (HIMPERRA) Bengkulu.

His victory in the 2024 regional elections represented a significant achievement, as he had previously run as a candidate in the 2019 regional elections without success. For the 2025-2030 term, he has advanced a vision of infrastructure development and improvement of public welfare based on local potential.

Thobari was inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto on 20 February 2025. He was nominated by the coalition of the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and the Democratic Party.

Rejang Lebong Regency has become the subject of public scrutiny following an investigative process by the KPK regarding policies within the regency government. The public is urged to continue monitoring official updates from relevant agencies.