KPK Announces Identity of Third Suspect in Kuansing Sting Operation

Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has announced the identity of a third suspect resulting from a sting operation in Kuantan Singingi Regency (Kuansing), Riau, and Jakarta. The two other suspects are Kuansing Regent Suhardiman Amby and Kuansing Regional Secretary Zulkarnain. “First, SA as the Kuansing Regent for the 2025-2030 period, ZKN as the Kuansing Regional Secretary, and ARD as the President Director of PT MIC,” said Acting KPK Director of Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday. Taufik explained that the three are suspects in a case of alleged bribery related to positions within the Kuansing Regency Government, Riau. He further explained that Zulkarnain and ARD, as the alleged bribe givers, are charged under Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, Suhardiman, as the alleged bribe recipient, is charged under Article 12 letter a or letter b and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001. “The KPK has subsequently detained the suspects for an initial 20 days. For ARD, from 30 June to 19 July 2026, and for SA and ZKN, their detention is effective from 1 to 21 July 2026,” he said. He stated that the three suspects are being held at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building Detention Centre. Previously, on 30 June 2026, the KPK confirmed it had conducted a sting operation in Kuansing and Jakarta, securing 10 individuals. The operation was the 14th sting operation carried out by the KPK throughout 2026. Of the 10 people detained, five were taken to the KPK’s Merah Putih Building for intensive examination. They consisted of three private sector individuals, a state civil servant from the Kuantan Singingi Regency Government, and Suhardiman’s wife, Suci Nitia Edward. The KPK had also previously requested that Suhardiman and Zulkarnain surrender themselves for examination. Both subsequently surrendered and were picked up by the KPK at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Banten. The two are suspected of involvement in a case of alleged bribery concerning the sale of the regional secretary position. In handling the case, the KPK also seized a car suspected of being used as an instrument of the bribe.