KPK Holds Regent of Rejang Lebong in Connection with Project Bribery Case

Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has designated five individuals as suspects in a case of alleged project bribery within the Government of Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province.

Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, stated that the suspects were designated after investigators discovered sufficient evidence in the case. “Based on sufficient evidence of alleged corruption offences related to project bribery within Rejang Lebong Regency Government, Bengkulu Province, the KPK has upgraded the case to the investigation stage by designating five individuals as suspects,” Asep said during a press conference at the KPK’s Red and White Building in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

All five suspects have been immediately detained for an initial 20-day period from 11 to 30 March 2026. The suspects are held at the detention facility of the KPK’s Red and White Building.

The five suspects include Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Regent of Rejang Lebong, and HEP, who are both allegedly recipients of bribes. They are accused of violating Article 12(a) or (b) and/or Article 12B of Law No. 31/1999 read together with Law No. 20/2001 on Corruption Eradication read together with Article 20(c) of Law No. 1/2023 on the Criminal Code.

Three other suspects, initialised as IRS, YK, and EDM, are alleged to be those who offered bribes. “They are accused of violating Article 605(1) or Article 606(1) of Law No. 1/2023 on the Criminal Code read together with Law No. 1/2026 on Penalty Adjustment,” Asep explained.

Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) apprehended Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari in a raid operation (OTT) on suspicion of corruption on the evening of Monday, 9 March 2026. The KPK’s Deputy Chairperson Fitroh Nurcahyanto confirmed the operation.

“Yes, the Rejang Lebong Regent,” said KPK Deputy Chairperson Fitroh Nurcahyanto when asked for confirmation on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

In the raid operation, the KPK team did not only secure Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari. Several other parties involved in the case were also apprehended. However, the identities of those apprehended – other than the Rejang Lebong Regent – have not yet been disclosed.

The KPK brought Rejang Lebong Regent and other individuals caught in the raid to Jakarta on Tuesday morning for further questioning.