KPK and National Police Anti-Corruption Corps Launch Joint Investigation into Muara Enim Regent Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) together with the National Police’s Anti-Corruption Corps (Kortas Tipikor) are conducting a joint investigation into an alleged bribery and gratuity case implicating Muara Enim Regent, Edison. “We need to convey that the handling of this hand-catch operation incident is a joint investigation between the KPK and the National Police’s Kortas Tipikor,” said Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, during a press conference at his office in Jakarta, Tuesday. Taufik explained that the joint investigation represents a concrete manifestation of synergy between law enforcement agencies in eradicating corruption. He added that the case involving Edison and his associates is of significant concern because it relates to the education sector, which is part of the president’s priority programme with a substantial budget. He explained that the modus operandi of corruption in the education sector is not only related to illegal levies or gratuities, such as in the New Student Admission System process, but can also occur in budget management and the implementation of procurement of goods and services. “Therefore, from this case, strengthening integrity and oversight needs to be carried out comprehensively, from education services that directly interact with the public to the governance of education budgets,” said Taufik. The KPK has detained Edison and three other suspects for an initial 20-day period until 28 June 2026. The detention was carried out after the suspects completed intensive examinations following the Hand-Catch Operation on 7 and 8 June 2026. The three other suspects are the 2026 Secretary of the Education and Culture Office, Abi Nurwardani; the regent’s confidant, Adi Triyadi; and a private party from PT Millenium Solusi Abadi, Cory Erin Hardi. Edison, Abi, and Adi Triyadi are charged with violating Article 12 letter a and/or Article 12 letter b and/or Article 12B of the Corruption Eradication Law and/or Article 606 paragraph (2) of Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Penal Adjustments in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, Cory Erin is suspected of violating Article 605 letter a and/or Article 605 letter b of the Penal Adjustment Law and/or Article 606 paragraph (1) of the Penal Adjustment Law in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of the Criminal Code.