Reasons Why KPK Apprehended Rejang Lebong Vice Regent During Sting Operation Before Releasing Him as Non-Suspect
The KPK apprehended Vice Regent Hendri Praja of Rejang Lebong during the sting operation (OTT) that ensnared Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari. The KPK explained its reasoning for apprehending Hendri despite ultimately releasing him without suspect status.
“At the time when investigators and prosecutors were present, there was strong suspicion that because the Regent and Vice Regent constitute a single administrative unit, having been elected as a paired ticket, we expected to obtain information from the person in question,” said KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at a press conference at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Wednesday (11/3/2026).
Asep stated that the expected information concerned the various projects being implemented in Rejang Lebong. He explained that the Vice Regent possessed capacity to provide knowledge about projects undertaken, alongside the Regent and the Heads of Departments.
“Based on this reasoning, we brought the person in question here to Jakarta to provide a statement and deepen their account. Given that the time available there was insufficient, and we were also limited to a 24-hour period,” Asep explained.
Vice Regent Not Charged and Released
Vice Regent Hendri Praja was among those secured during the KPK’s sting operation. The KPK stated that Hendri Praja was not declared a suspect and has been released.
“That is correct (not declared a suspect). He has been released,” confirmed KPK Vice Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto when asked for confirmation on Wednesday (11/3).
Fitroh explained the reason his office did not declare Hendri a suspect. He stated that investigators did not find sufficient evidence to declare Hendri Praja a suspect.
“That is because, from the results of the examination, no evidence was found that was sufficient regarding the involvement of the person in question in the matter in question,” he stated.
It is known that the KPK has declared five suspects in the sting operation in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu. One of the suspects is Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari. The other four suspects are:
Hary Eko Purnomo as Head of the Department of Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Regions (PUPRPKP) of Rejang Lebong;
Irsyad Satria Budiman as a private party from PT Statika Mitra Sarana;
Edi Manggala as a private party from CV Manggala Utama;
Youki Yusdiantoro as a private party from CV Alpagker Abadi.
In the matter currently being investigated by the KPK, Fikri is suspected of receiving a total of 980 million rupiahs in bribes. Regent Fikri requested a fee or advance on projects from three contractors who won bids when he held a project auction at the Department of Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Regions (PUPRPKP), with amounts ranging from 10 to 15 percent.
Fikri requested the project fee to meet holiday expenses, including allowances for his subordinates.
Fikri and Hary are charged under Article 12(a) or (b) and/or 12B of the Law on the Eradication of Corruption Offences in conjunction with Article 20(c) of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, the three private parties are charged under Article 605(1) or Article 606(1) of the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law No. 1/2026 concerning Sentencing Adjustments.