KPK: Rejang Lebong Regent Repeatedly Demanded Project Fees from Contractors
Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that Rejang Lebong Regent M Fikri Thobari and Public Works Office Head Harry Eko Purnomo frequently employed a modus operandi of demanding project fees from contractors who won tenders in Rejang Lebong Regency. The KPK discovered this pattern following intensive questioning of both officials following their arrest in a sting operation.
KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu explained that the investigation into Regent Fikri uncovered allegations of fee demands or project advances made to three contractors undertaking work at the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Affairs Office (PUPRPKP). During interrogation after the sting operation, investigators identified additional alleged recipients through what appeared to be the same modus operandi involving project fee demands from contractors.
“During intensive questioning, the KPK also discovered allegations of further receipts by Fikri through Harry Eko Purnomo from various parties using the modus of demanding project fees from contractors, totalling 775 million rupiah. This suggests the practice was repeated,” Asep stated during a press conference at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
In the current investigation, Regent Fikri allegedly received bribes totalling 980 million rupiah. Combined with other alleged receipts discovered by investigators, Fikri’s total take from various projects reaches 1.7 billion rupiah.
Asep revealed that in this case, Regent Fikri demanded fees or project advances from three contractors he selected as winners in tenders at the PUPRPKP office, at rates of 10 to 15 per cent. From these project advance demands, Regent Fikri obtained 980 million rupiah.
“Following the direct selection, an initial transfer of fees in cash allegedly occurred from the three contractors to Fikri through intermediaries, totalling 980 million rupiah,” Asep said.
Asep explained that the project fees demanded by Regent Fikri were provided in stages. The 980 million rupiah figure, according to Asep, represents only the initial portion of the total fees Fikri would receive.
“So it’s staged payment. The 10 to 15 per cent represents the total value, until the work is completed,” clarified Asep.
“The payments follow the project implementation schedule. First instalment, second, third and fourth, and so on. The fee or advance value of 10 to 15 per cent is distributed according to the instalment schedule,” he continued.
He detailed that the 980 million rupiah in fees at this initial stage was provided by Irsyad Satria Budiman of PT Statika Mitra Sarana, Edi Manggala of CV Manggala Utama, and Youki Yusdiantoro of CV Alpagker Abadi. The breakdown is as follows:
On 26 February 2026, Edi Manggala from CV Manggala Utama transferred 330 million rupiah, representing 3.4 per cent of the project value for pedestrian path and drainage construction plus sports centre totalling 9.8 billion rupiah, via Harry Eko Purnomo
On 6 March 2026, Irsyad Satria from PT Statika Mitra Sarana transferred 400 million rupiah, representing 13.3 per cent of a road construction project valued at 3 billion rupiah, via a state apparatus named SAG at the PUPRPKP office
On 6 March 2026, Youki from CV Alpagker Abadi transferred 250 million rupiah, representing 2.3 per cent of a football stadium precinct renovation project valued at 11 billion rupiah, via a state apparatus named REN at the PUPRPKP office.