KPK Charges Rejang Lebong Regent with Soliciting Project Fees for Eid Expenses
The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has established five suspects in a case of alleged corruption related to bribery for project ijon (advance payments) in Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu, for fiscal years 2025-2026.
Two suspects are designated as bribe recipients: Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Regent of Rejang Lebong for the period 2025-2030, and Harry Eko Purnomo, Head of the Department of Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Areas (PUPRPKP). The three bribery providers are Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana; Edi Manggala from CV Manggala Utama; and Youki Yusdiantoro from CV Alpagker Abadi.
“Based on sufficient evidence in the alleged corruption case concerning receipt of project ijon bribes within the Government of Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province, the KPK has elevated this matter to investigation stage by establishing five (5) individuals as suspects,” stated Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Execution of the KPK, at a press conference at its Jakarta headquarters on Wednesday, 11 March.
The case was uncovered through an Operation Arrest on the Spot (OTT) conducted on Monday, 9 March 2026, based on a public complaint. The KPK arrested a total of 13 individuals, including Regent Fikri and Deputy Regent Hendri. However, Hendri was released and designated as a witness. KPK investigators seized evidence including documents, electronic evidence, and cash totalling Rp756.8 million.
Construction of the case
In early 2026, there were several physical work projects under the PUPRPKP Department at Rejang Lebong Regency Government, with the total budget for the department reaching Rp91.13 billion.
In February 2026, Regent Fikri, Eko Purnomo, and the regent’s trusted aide, B. Daditama, held a meeting at the regent’s official residence. During this meeting, the KPK alleges that discussions occurred regarding the arrangement or plotting of contractors for project work at the PUPRPKP Department in Fiscal Year 2026, including discussions about the amount of fees (ijon) of approximately 10-15 per cent of the project value.
Following the arrangement plotting, Fikri then wrote on a Physical Work Recap sheet with certain letter codes representing “contractor initials” that would undertake project packages at the PUPRPKP Department of Rejang Lebong Regency for Fiscal Year 2026. He then sent it via WhatsApp chat to B. Daditama.
“The request for various fees (ijon) from the contractors designated by the regent is allegedly due to needs in anticipation of Eid al-Fitr,” said Asep. “Personal needs. Many things: needs to face Eid, as a regional head, and also this is something that has become customary, year-end bonuses, it is not written down but has become customary for a regional head, which certainly burdens them, ‘surely officials should provide year-end bonuses’. That is one of them, including other interests,” he added.
Asep stated that subsequently there occurred a meeting of mind (mens rea) or agreement between Fikri and Eko as state administrators with the three contractors for the execution of project packages at the PUPRPKP Department of Rejang Lebong Regency.
These are Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana; Edi Manggala from CV Manggala Utama; and Youki Yusdiantoro from CV Alpagker Abadi.
“Following the direct designation, it is alleged that an initial transfer of fees (ijon) in the form of money from the three contractors to MFT [Fikri] occurred through intermediaries, totalling Rp980 million,” said Asep.
The breakdown is as follows: on 26 February 2026, Edi Manggala transferred Rp330 million (3.4 per cent of the project value for the construction of a pedestrian bridge and drainage system and sports centre totalling Rp9.8 billion) through Eko. Then on 6 March 2026, Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana (previously processed by the KPK in 2017) transferred Rp400 million (13.3 per cent of the project value for road work valued at Rp3 billion) through Santri Ghozali, a state civil servant at the PUPRPKP Department. Subsequently on 6 March 2026, Youki Yusdiantoro from Alpagker Abadi transferred Rp250 million (2.3 per cent of the project value for the arrangement of buildings and environment of the football stadium area valued at Rp11 billion) through Rendy Novian, a state civil servant at the PUPRPKP Department.
All suspects have been detained for the first 20 days from 11 March until 30 March 2026 at the State Detention House Branch of the Red and White Building of the KPK.
Fikri and Eko are charged with violating Article 12 letter (a) or (b) and/or 12B of the Law on the Eradication of Corruption Offences (UU Tipikor) in conjunction with Article 20 letter (c) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP). The three private sector suspects are charged with violating Article 605 paragraph (1) or Article 606 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Adjustment of Penalties.
In addition to the bribery allegations, during intensive examination, the KPK also discovered allegations of further receipts by Fikri through Eko from various parties with the modus operandi of requesting project fees from various contractors, totalling Rp775 million.
“This arrest will serve as a gateway for the KPK to develop further investigations into alleged corruption offences within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government,” said Asep.