Deputy Regent of Rejang Lebong Detained by KPK but Not Named Suspect—Released

Deputy Regent of Rejang Lebong Hendri Praja was among those detained during the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (KPK) covert operation targeting Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari of Rejang Lebong. The KPK stated that Hendri Praja was not designated as a suspect and has been released.

“That is correct (he was not designated a suspect). He has (been released),” confirmed KPK Vice Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto when asked for clarification on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Fitroh explained the commission’s reasoning for not designating Hendri as a suspect. He stated that investigators did not discover sufficient evidence to establish Hendri Praja’s involvement in the case.

“The reason is that from the examination results, no sufficient evidence was found regarding the involvement of the person in question in the case in question,” he said.

The KPK has designated five suspects in the covert operation in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu. One of the suspects is Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari.

“Regarding the closed investigation activities in the Bengkulu region, an exposure was conducted this afternoon at the leadership level and legal status decisions were made on those detained, where the KPK designated five people as suspects in the closed investigation,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Tuesday, 10 March.

Budi did not provide details about who the other four suspects are. However, he confirmed that three of them are money providers.

“Of the five people designated as suspects, three are money providers and two are recipients,” he explained.

“Yes, one (suspect is Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari),” he added.

However, the KPK has not yet disclosed the details of the case construction. The case construction will be presented during a press conference.