KPK suspects Rejang Lebong regent repeatedly received money for project contracts
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari repeatedly received illicit payments from project contracts passed through the Head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Office, Hary Eko Purnomo.
In intensive investigations, the KPK discovered Thobari allegedly received additional payments from various parties using a scheme whereby project fees (commissions) were demanded from contractors, totalling Rp775 million. KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Enforcement Asep Guntur Rahayu stated at KPK headquarters in Jakarta that these actions appeared to constitute a repeated pattern of corrupt conduct.
According to Asep, the KPK suspects Thobari employed identical corruption methods during the 2025 budget cycle. “The question is, why would these entrepreneurs agree to this arrangement?” he asked, explaining that contractors participated because they had received the same treatment in previous budget years. “This practice was not limited to the 2026 budget year, but also occurred in 2025, and possibly before — these three individuals may have received projects through this quid pro quo system repeatedly.”
Consequently, Asep assessed that Thobari’s case, which originated from a hand-to-hand arrest operation, would serve as an entry point for the KPK to investigate suspected corruption in other departments within Rejang Lebong Regency administration.
“We observe these practices extend beyond the Public Works Department to other offices. We suspect similar arrangements occur in other departments,” he stated.
On 9 March 2026, the KPK arrested Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Deputy Regent Hendri, and 11 others in a hand-to-hand arrest operation relating to alleged project bribery within the Rejang Lebong Regency administration in Bengkulu Province. On 10 March 2026, the KPK transported the regent and deputy regent along with seven others to Jakarta for intensive questioning.
The same day, the KPK announced Muhammad Fikri Thobari as one of five suspects in an alleged corruption case involving bribery. On 11 March 2025, the KPK identified all suspects: Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Hary Eko Purnomo (Public Works Department head), Irsyad Satria Budiman (private sector representative from PT Statika Mitra Sarana), Edi Manggala (private sector representative from CV Manggala Utama), and Youki Yusdiantoro (private sector representative from CV Alpagker Abadi).
They are accused of project bribery involving quid pro quo arrangements within Rejang Lebong Regency administration during the 2025–2026 budget cycles.