Anti-Corruption Commission Arrests Rejang Lebong Regent in Second Ramadan 1447 H Sting Operation
Jakarta — The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has arrested Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Regent of Rejang Lebong, in a sting operation (OTT) that represents both the eighth operation of 2026 and the second conducted during the Islamic month of Ramadan in 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE.
“That is correct, the Regent of Rejang Lebong,” confirmed KPK Deputy Chairperson Fitroh Rohcahyanto when contacted by ANTARA from Jakarta on Tuesday.
Under Indonesian criminal procedural law (KUHAP), the KPK has 24 hours from the time of arrest to determine the formal status of the regional chief from Bengkulu Province.
The KPK’s enforcement operations in 2026 began on 9-10 January with the first sting operation, which saw the arrest of eight individuals suspected of bribery related to tax inspections at the Middle Tax Office for North Jakarta within the Directorate General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance, covering the period 2021-2026.
The second sting operation occurred on 19 January 2026, when the KPK arrested Maidi, the Mayor of Madiun. On 20 January 2026, the anti-corruption agency formally designated Maidi as a suspect in an alleged extortion scheme involving project contracts and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, as well as other forms of gratification within the Madiun City Government in East Java.
On the same date, 19 January 2026, the KPK conducted its third sting operation, apprehending Sudewo, the Regent of Pati. The following day, 20 January 2026, Sudewo was named as a suspect in an alleged extortion case related to the appointment of village officials within the Pati Regency Government in Central Java.
The fourth sting operation took place on 4 February 2026 within the Middle Tax Office for Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, focusing on suspected irregularities in the tax restitution process.
On the same date, 4 February 2026, the KPK announced its fifth sting operation concerning alleged smuggling and trafficking of counterfeit or imitation goods. Among those arrested was Rizal, the former Director of Enforcement and Investigation at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance, who was serving as Head of the West Sumatra Regional Customs Office at the time of his arrest.
The sixth sting operation was revealed on 5 February 2026, involving allegations of corruption in connection with a land dispute covering 6,500 square metres at the Depok District Court in West Java. The KPK designated I Wayan Eka Mariarta, the Presiding Judge of Depok District Court I, Bambang Setyawan, the Deputy Presiding Judge of Depok District Court, and the Chief Executive Officer of PT Karabha Digdaya, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Finance, as suspects.
The seventh sting operation was announced on 3 March 2026, during the month of Ramadan. The KPK designated Fadia Arafiq, the Regent of Pekalongan, as the sole suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the procurement of outsourcing services and other procurement matters within the Pekalongan Regency Government during the 2023-2026 budget year.