OTT Replaces Kuansing Regent, Only for Successor to Be Caught in OTT Too
Instead of marking a turning point, the change in leadership in Kuantan Singingi Regency (Kuansing), Riau, has been marked by irony. Two regents who led in succession have both been entangled in corruption cases and caught in sting operations (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Suhadirman Amby, the Regent of Kuansing who has just been detained by the KPK, assumed office as regent only after replacing the previous regent, Andi Putra, who was caught in a sting in October 2021. Rather than bringing better governance, Suhadirman has now also become embroiled in corruption issues and faced a KPK sting.
Suhadirman was inaugurated as Regent of Kuansing in 2023 and was subsequently re-elected and inaugurated for another term in 2025. After serving for more than three years, Suhadirman has ‘followed’ Andi Putra into KPK custody. The KPK revealed that Suhadirman received bribes on two separate occasions.
Receiving Bribes Since 2021
It was revealed that in 2021, while serving as the Acting Regent of Kuansing, Suhadirman received a Pajero Sport as a bribe. Later, during his tenure as Regent, Suhadirman received a Land Cruiser bribe, which was provided by the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Kuansing, Zulkarnain, to secure the position of Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (Kadis PUPR).
“This is not the first time ZKN (Zulkarnain) has done this. When the individual held the position of Head of Department, he also provided something to SA, who was then the Acting Regent,” said the Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, during a press conference at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Wednesday (1/7).
At that time, Zulkarnain purchased a Pajero Sport valued at Rp 700 million via credit to secure the Kadis PUPR position. The purchase was also assisted by a private party named Ardiles, the President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant.
Bribery in 2026
Furthermore, in 2026, Suhadirman allegedly received a bribe in the form of a Land Cruiser worth Rp 2 billion to select Zulkarnain as the Regional Secretary of Kuansing. The KPK stated that this case began in April 2025.
He noted that there were two candidates for the Regional Secretary position: Fahdiansyah, as Assistant I of the Kuansing Regency Government, and Zulkarnain, as the Head of the PUPR Department.
“SA (Suhardirman Amby), as the Regent of Kuansing for the 2025-2030 period, then ‘demanded a condition’ of a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR-S SUV from the parties or candidates participating in the selection process for the Regional Secretary position,” said Achmad Taufik.
During the process, only Zulkarnain was able to meet the demand. Zulkarnain was subsequently selected as the Regional Secretary.
“To meet this demand, ZKN then purchased one unit of a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR-S SUV worth Rp 2.05 billion at a showroom located in the Jabodetabek area. The purchase was made on credit, with monthly instalments of Rp 46.5 million over a 5-year tenor,” he added.
The KPK stated that Zulkarnain’s profile did not meet the credit requirements for the Toyota Land Cruiser. Consequently, Zulkarnain used the identity of the President Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, Ardiles, for the credit process.
“ZKN then committed another bribe for the Regional Secretary position with a Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR-S SUV worth Rp 2.05 billion,” he said.
Zulkarnain and the President Director of PT MIC, Ardiles, as the bribe providers, are being charged under Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustment in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.
Meanwhile, Suhadirman Amby, as the bribe recipient, is suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or letter b and/or Article 12 B of Law Number 31 of 1999 in conjunction with Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes.