KPK Explains Arrest of Rejang Lebong Deputy Regent During Bupati Operation

JAKARTA — The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) stated that Deputy Regent Hendri of Rejang Lebong was arrested during an Anti-Corruption Operation (OTT) targeting Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari because he was suspected of knowing about alleged bribery related to development projects.

“The deputy regent was arrested during the OTT. Why? Because when investigators and prosecutors were present there, there is strong suspicion that because the regent and deputy regent are a single unit—they were elected as a ticket during the election,” said Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Execution at the KPK, at the Red and White Building on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

“Naturally, the deputy regent, along with the regent and agency heads, would also know about the projects in question,” he added.

Asep stated that Deputy Regent Hendri was brought to Jakarta for further questioning.

Previously, KPK Vice Chair Fitroh Rohcahyanto stated that from the case examination findings, Hendri was not proven to be involved in the alleged project bribery case based on preliminary evidence.

“Yes, because he was not proven to be involved based on the evidence available,” Fitroh said when contacted by Kompas.com on Thursday.

In the case, the KPK has designated five suspects: Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Head of Public Works and Settlement Planning Agency Hary Eko Purnomo, Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana, Edi Manggala from CV Manggala Utama, and Youki Yudiantoro from CV Alpagker Abadi.

Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari received 980 million rupiah in bribes from requesting “fee ijon” (advance fee) from contractor companies for projects.

“Following the direct designation, there is alleged to be an initial transfer of fee (ijon) in the form of money from the three contractors to MFT (Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari) through intermediaries, totalling 980 million rupiah,” said Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Prosecution and Execution at the KPK, at the Red and White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Asep stated that Fikri received the bribe money in instalments through intermediaries.

First, on 26 February 2026, Edi Manggala from CV Manggala Utama transferred 330 million rupiah (3.4 per cent of the project value comprising pedestrian and drainage construction and a sports centre valued at 9.8 billion rupiah total) through Head of Public Works Agency Hary Eko.

Second, on 6 March 2026, Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana transferred 400 million rupiah (13.3 per cent of the project value comprising road works valued at 3 billion rupiah) through Santri Ghozali, a state civil servant at the Public Works Agency.

Third, on 6 March 2026, Youki Yudiantoro from CV Alpagker Abadi transferred 250 million rupiah (2.3 per cent of the project value comprising arrangement of buildings and surroundings in the football stadium area valued at 11 billion rupiah) through Rendy Novian, a state civil servant at the Public Works Agency.

For their actions, Regent Fikri together with Head of Public Works Agency Hary Eko as the recipients are charged with corruption offences and alleged violations of Articles 12(a) or (b) and/or 12B of Law No. 31/1999 as amended by Law No. 20/2001 on the Eradication of Corruption Offences, together with Article 20(c) of Law No. 1/2023 on the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, Irsyad Satria Budiman, Edi Manggala, and Youki Yudiantoro as the bribe givers are charged with corruption offences and alleged violations of Article 605(1) or Article 606(1) of Law No. 1/2023 on the Criminal Code, together with Law No. 1/2026 on Criminal Penalty Adjustment.