KPK Assesses Goods and Services Procurement in Rejang Lebong Regency as Still Vulnerable
Jakarta — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has assessed that goods and services procurement by Rejang Lebong Regency in Bengkulu remains vulnerable to corruption, even prior to a recent sting operation.
KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo stated that the anti-corruption agency based its assessment on corruption prevention instruments including the 2025 Monitoring Controlling Surveillance for Prevention (MCSP). In the 2025 MCSP, Rejang Lebong Regency’s goods and services procurement aspect scored 61, classified as vulnerable.
“The data shows that governance of procurement, particularly on strategic projects directly related to regional development such as infrastructure, still has vulnerabilities that require strengthening,” Budi told journalists in Jakarta on Monday.
Additionally, Rejang Lebong Regency scored 70.36 in the 2025 Integrity Assessment Survey (SPI), a decline of 4.26 points compared to the 2024 survey. This score indicates government integrity in a vulnerable category.
According to Budi, the decline resulted from several aspects deteriorating. For instance, based on surveys of respondents from working units within Rejang Lebong Regency, the score for the internal component of anti-corruption socialisation decreased from 69.7 to 61.05.
“Through coordination and supervision functions, the KPK continues to encourage regional governments to strengthen accountable procurement systems, from planning stages through provider selection to contract implementation,” he stated.
Previously, on 9 March 2026, the KPK arrested Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Vice Regent Hendri, and 11 others in a sting operation regarding alleged bribery in projects within Rejang Lebong Regency Government, Bengkulu.
On 10 March 2026, the KPK brought the regent and vice regent along with seven others to Jakarta for intensive questioning.
On the same date, the KPK also designated Muhammad Fikri Thobari as one of five suspects in an alleged corruption case involving bribery.
They are suspects in alleged advance payment bribery for projects within Rejang Lebong Regency Government, Bengkulu, for the 2025–2026 budget year.
The KPK alleges that Fikri Thobari demanded bribes or project compensation of approximately 10–15 per cent from three private parties to obtain funds intended for distribution as holiday allowances (THR) to residents.