KPK arrests Rejang Lebong regent and deputy regent in Operation Snap: officials transported to Jakarta for questioning

The Rejang Lebong Regent M Fikri Thobari and Deputy Regent Hendri Praja were transported to Jakarta following a Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Operation Snap (OTT) on Monday evening (9 March). The regent and deputy regent were transported to Jakarta together with five other individuals on Tuesday (10 March) for further investigation.

The operation targeting the Rejang Lebong officials was suspected to be related to the practice of providing project fees within the Rejang Lebong District Government.

Based on field monitoring, the KPK apprehended seven persons, including Rejang Lebong Regent M Fikri Thobari, who was wearing a white shirt under strict protection from personnel of the Bengkulu City Police Resort (Polresta) and Kepahiang Police.

The operation began on Monday (9 March) morning when the KPK team monitored the activities of the Rejang Lebong Regent in South Bengkulu District, whilst attending that district’s anniversary celebration. The KPK team then moved to the private residence of the individual in question on Hibrida Road, Sidomulyo Village, Gading Cempaka District, Bengkulu City.

During the search and seizure, the Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Department (PUPR) of Rejang Lebong Regency, Hary Eko Purnomo, was also present at the regent’s private residence.

On Monday evening, the KPK brought several individuals to Bengkulu City Police Resort for preliminary examination. In addition to securing several individuals, the KPK team also seized evidence including mobile phone units and substantial sums of cash suspected to have originated from contractors and related to allegations of project fee provision.

Meanwhile, the Kepahiang Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner (AKB) Yuriko Fernanda, confirmed that Kepahiang Police Headquarters was being used by the KPK team for questioning. “The police headquarters has been provided to the KPK team for questioning or use since Monday evening,” she stated.