Corruption Eradication Commission signals arrest of multiple individuals in Rejang Lebong regent sting operation
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has indicated that it will arrest more than one individual in the sting operation (operasi tangkap tangan) that apprehended Rejang Lebong regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari.
“Several parties have been secured,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Budi further stated that the KPK has scheduled bringing the Rejang Lebong regent and other parties to Jakarta on Tuesday morning (10 March) for further questioning.
The KPK has 24 hours to determine the legal status of those arrested in the sting operation in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
This is the eighth major corruption operation announced by the KPK in 2026. The first operation occurred on 9-10 January 2026, when the commission arrested eight individuals suspected of bribery in tax audits at the Jakarta North Tax Service Office under the Directorate General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance, covering the 2021-2026 period.
The second operation on 19 January 2026 saw the KPK arrest Madiun Mayor Maidi. On 20 January 2026, the anti-corruption agency announced Maidi as a suspect in alleged extortion involving project compensation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, along with other gratifications within Madiun City Government, East Java.
On the same date, 19 January 2026, the KPK conducted a third operation and arrested Pati regent Sudewo. On 20 January 2026, the KPK announced Sudewo as a suspect in alleged extortion related to village official appointments within Pati Regency Government, Central Java.
The fourth operation occurred on 4 February 2026 at the Banjarmasin Tax Service Office in South Kalimantan, involving suspected corruption in tax restitution processes.
Also on 4 February 2026, the KPK announced its fifth operation targeting alleged counterfeit goods importation. Among those arrested was former Director of Enforcement and Investigation at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance, Rizal, who was serving as Head of the West Sumatra Regional Customs Office.
The sixth operation was disclosed on 5 February 2026, relating to alleged corruption in land dispute proceedings involving 6,500 square metres at Depok District Court, West Java. The KPK designated Depok District Court I Presiding Judge I Wayan Eka Mariarta, Deputy Presiding Judge Bambang Setyawan, and Director of PT Karabha Digdaya (a Ministry of Finance subsidiary) as suspects.
The seventh operation was announced on 3 March 2026, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan. The KPK designated Pekalongan regent Fadia Arafiq as a sole suspect in alleged corruption involving procurement of outsourcing services and labour contracting, along with other procurement matters within Pekalongan Regency Government for the 2023-2026 budget year.
The eighth operation occurred during Ramadhan. On 10 March 2026, the KPK announced the arrest of Rejang Lebong regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari.