KPK examines Deputy Chairman of Rejang Lebong PAN DPD as witness

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined the Deputy Chairman of the Rejang Lebong District branch of the National Mandate Party (PAN) in Bengkulu as a witness in the alleged bribery case implicating the suspended Regent of Rejang Lebong, Muhammad Fikri Thobari. “The examination took place at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building, for BD, who is the Deputy Chairman of the DPD PAN Rejang Lebong,” stated KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday. According to KPK records, witness BD arrived at 10:33 WIB to comply with the summons. Previously, on 9 March 2026, KPK arrested Regent of Rejang Lebong Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Deputy Regent Hendri, and 11 others in a sting operation (OTT) related to alleged bribes for projects within the Rejang Lebong District Government in Bengkulu. On 10 March 2026, KPK brought the regent and deputy regent, along with seven others, to Jakarta for intensive examinations. On the same day, KPK announced Muhammad Fikri Thobari as one of five suspects in the alleged corruption case involving bribery. On 11 March 2026, KPK revealed the identities of the suspects: Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT), Head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing, and Settlement Area Department of Rejang Lebong Hary Eko Purnomo (HEP), Irsyad Satria Budiman (IRS) from PT Statika Mitra Sarana, Edi Manggala (EDM) from CV Manggala Utama, and Youki Yusdiantoro (YK) from CV Alpagker Abadi. The five suspects are alleged to be involved in bribery related to advance payments for projects within the Rejang Lebong District Government in Bengkulu for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. KPK suspects that Muhammad Fikri Thobari demanded project kickbacks of around 10–15% from the three private entities. The funds are alleged to have been intended for certain interests, including plans for distributing Eid bonuses (THR).