KPK Arrests Rejang Lebong Regent, House of Representatives Criticises Effectiveness of Leadership Retreat and Political Party Cadre Development
A member of Commission II of the House of Representatives, Indrajaya, has criticised a series of sting operations conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Most recently, Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari was arrested. Indrajaya contends that the proliferation of sting operations targeting regional heads indicates a failure by political parties in developing leadership at the regional level.
Indrajaya emphasised that the recurrence of bribery cases ensnaring public officials demonstrates that efforts to instil integrity have failed to address the fundamental moral dimension.
“This wave of sting operations is an indicator of failure in developing regional leadership. The repeated sting operations show that integrity training for public officials has yet to address the most fundamental moral aspect,” Indrajaya stated on Tuesday (10 March).
Indrajaya scrutinised the regional heads’ retreat programme initiated by President Prabowo Subianto. Although the initiative has a noble purpose as a forum for national consolidation, he questioned its effectiveness amid the surge in corruption cases.
According to him, the primary challenge to leadership today lies not in physical discipline or semi-military methods, but rather in the ethical exercise of power in the digital era.
“The regional heads’ retreat requires serious evaluation. The intention is good, but the prevalence of sting operations shows we need to reassess whether the retreat content genuinely builds integrity or merely serves as a symbolic agenda,” he said.
Indrajaya also criticised the phenomenon of weak political party cadre development. He referenced the admission by Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq, who claimed ignorance of regulations due to her background as a dangdut singer after being caught in a KPK sting operation.
According to Indrajaya, this statement represents clear evidence of political parties’ failure in producing leaders who are administratively and legally competent.
“That statement demonstrates serious failure in the political cadre development process. Political parties should serve as schools of leadership ensuring that regional head candidates understand governance, codes of conduct, and state administrative law,” the PKB politician stated firmly.
Furthermore, Indrajaya compared Indonesia’s mechanisms of social control with other nations. He explained the difference between the dominant culture of guilt prevalent in the West and the strong culture of shame in Japan.
He hopes that public officials in Indonesia possess a high sense of shame before society, so as not to rely solely on legal enforcement approaches.
“In Japan, even minor ethical violations trigger significant social pressure. Many officials choose to resign before legal proceedings commence because of shame. We need to touch this cultural root so that integrity is not merely a slogan,” he concluded.
Previously, Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari was apprehended in a sting operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission on Monday evening (9 March). The operation allegedly concerns the practice of awarding project fees within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government. The KPK also arrested Deputy Regent Hendri in the operation.
“Yes, one of those also secured,” said KPK Spokesman Budi Prasetyo at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Budi further stated that both the regent and deputy regent have arrived at the KPK’s Red and White Building for questioning.
The KPK has 1 x 24 hours to determine the status of those arrested in the sting operation in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP).
The sting operation against the Rejang Lebong regent and deputy regent is the eighth operation conducted by the KPK in 2026. Of the eight sting operations conducted, four involved regional heads.