Regent of Rejang Lebong Alleged to Have Received IDR 980 Million in Bribes During Ramadan
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed new facts regarding the alleged bribery case involving Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT). The KPK stated that MFT allegedly received bribes totalling IDR 980 million during the Islamic month of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.
Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, explained that the funds originated from three project winners at the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Office (PUPRPKP) of Rejang Lebong Regency.
During a press conference at KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (11 March 2026), Asep detailed three instalments of money that were received by the regent through intermediaries.
Asep explained that the money received during the holy month represented advance payments or ijon. The KPK discovered an agreement on commitment fees set at 10 to 15 per cent of the total project value.
“So, the payment was staged. The 10–15 per cent figure is the total value until the work is completed. Payments are made per instalment depending on the financial capacity of each company,” stated Asep Guntur.
Previously, on 9 March 2026, the KPK conducted a Coercive Operation (OTT) against the Regent and Deputy Regent of Rejang Lebong along with 11 others in Bengkulu in connection with alleged bribery related to environmental projects of the regency government.
Based on intensive investigations, the KPK formally named five individuals as suspects in the alleged project bribery case for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The five suspects are: Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT), Rejang Lebong Regent; Hary Eko Purnomo (HEP), Head of the PUPRPKP Office; Irsyad Satria Budiman (IRS) of PT Statika Mitra Sarana; Edi Manggala (EDM) of CV Manggala Utama; and Youki Yusdiantoro (YK) of CV Alpagker Abadi.
The suspects are currently in detention and undergoing further investigation to determine possible involvement of other parties in the corruption case in Rejang Lebong Regency. The KPK seized cash, documents and electronic devices during the operation, with nine individuals transferred to Jakarta for questioning.