Corruption Commission Seizes Rp756.8 Million from Regent Arrest Operation in Rejang Lebong, Allegedly for Eid Expenses
The Corruption Commission (KPK) seized cash totalling Rp756.8 million during a sting operation (OTT) against Muhammad Fikri Thobari, regent of Rejang Lebong for the 2025-2030 term. The funds are suspected to relate to receipt of bribes from projects within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government.
The cash evidence was displayed at a press conference announcing suspects at KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that the hundreds of millions of rupiah were allegedly used in part for Thobari’s Eid expenses.
The seized funds comprised 100,000 and 50,000 rupiah denominations stored in various containers at the press conference, including a rucksack containing 100,000 rupiah notes packed in plastic. Also recovered from the same bag were three envelopes and one goodie bag containing 100,000 rupiah notes. Officers also displayed a sling bag and suitcase holding additional cash.
According to Budi, the funds were secured from three separate locations during the enforcement operation: Rp309.2 million from a vehicle, Rp357.6 million from a black bag, and Rp90 million from under a television table, totalling Rp756.8 million.
The KPK had previously designated five persons as suspects following the sting operation on Monday, 9 March 2026 in the Bengkulu region. Deputy Head of KPK Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated that investigators found sufficient evidence to elevate the case to investigation stage.
Besides Thobari, other suspects included Hary Eko Purnomo, head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Affairs Office in Rejang Lebong, and three private sector actors: Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana, Edi Manggala from CV Manggala Utama, and Youki Yusdiantoro from CV Alpagker Abadi.
The KPK initially secured 13 persons during the sting operation. Following further examination, nine were brought to KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta, including the Deputy Regent of Rejang Lebong, various state civil apparatus members, and private sector representatives.
All five suspects are being held for an initial 20-day period from 11 to 30 March 2026 at the State Detention House at KPK’s Red and White Building. As recipients, Thobari and Purnomo face charges under Article 12(a) or (b) and/or Article 12B of Law No. 31 of 1999 as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001 on Corruption Eradication, read together with Article 20(c) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code. The three bribery providers—Irsyad, Youki, and Edi Manggala—face charges under Article 605(1) or Article 606(1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, read together with Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Sanction Adjustment.