KPK Apprehends Rejang Lebong Regent and Six Others in Anti-Corruption Operation
The Regent of Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu Province, Muhammad Fikri Thobari, along with six other individuals, was transported to Jakarta on the morning of Tuesday, 10 March for further interrogation following their apprehension in a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrest operation on Monday afternoon, 9 March.
The operation targeting the Rejang Lebong Regent is alleged to be connected to the practice of offering project fees within the Rejang Lebong District Government.
The KPK enforcement action against the Regent of Rejang Lebong was carried out following a series of closed investigations.
Based on Antara’s field observations, the KPK apprehended seven individuals, including Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, who was wearing a white shirt and Levi’s trousers under tight security from personnel of the Bengkulu City Police Resort (Polresta) and Kepahiang District Police.
The chronology of this KPK operation began when the KPK team monitored the activities of the Rejang Lebong Regent in the South Bengkulu District area as he attended an internal event on Monday, 9 March morning.
The KPK team then proceeded to the private residence of the individual concerned on Jalan Hibrida, Sidomulyo Village, Gading Cempaka District, Bengkulu City.
During the enforcement action and search, the rector’s private home also contained Hary Eko Purnomo, Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Service (PUPR) of Rejang Lebong District.
Subsequently, at approximately 18:00 WIB, the KPK team brought several individuals to Bengkulu Police Resort for preliminary questioning.
In addition to securing several individuals, the KPK team also seized evidence in the form of mobile phone units and a sum of money allegedly originating from contractors and relating to the suspected provision of project fees.
Fikri subsequently underwent intensive questioning at Kepahiang Police Resort until late at night.
Kepahiang Police Chief AKBP Yuriko Fernanda confirmed that Kepahiang Police Resort was used by the KPK team to conduct questioning.
“We only provided the venue for the KPK’s questioning from 23:00 WIB onwards,” she stated.