Regent of Rejang Lebong arrested in anti-corruption operation; KPK seizes Rp756.8 million
Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has seized cash totalling Rp756.8 million from a sting operation (OTT) resulting in the arrest of Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari.
“In connection with the sting operation, the KPK team secured various pieces of evidence including documents, electronic evidence and cash valued at Rp756.8 million,” said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at the KPK Red-White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Asep explained that the hundreds of millions of rupiah were seized from the vehicle of the Head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Agency of Rejang Lebong, Hary Eko Purnomo, amounting to Rp309.2 million, followed by Rp357.6 million from a bag in Hary’s home, and Rp90 million from a suitcase at the residence of a civil servant from Rejang Lebong’s Public Works Agency with initials SAG.
On 9 March 2026, the KPK arrested Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Deputy Regent Hendri, and 11 others in a sting operation concerning alleged bribery in projects within the Rejang Lebong District Government in Bengkulu.
On 10 March 2026, the KPK brought the regent and deputy regent along with seven others to Jakarta for intensive questioning.
On the same date, the KPK also announced Muhammad Fikri Thobari as one of five suspects in an alleged corruption case involving bribery.
On 11 March 2025, the KPK announced the identities of the suspects: Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT), Head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Agency of Rejang Lebong Hary Eko Purnomo (HEP), Irsyad Satria Budiman (IRS) as a private sector representative from PT Statika Mitra Sarana, Edi Manggala (EDM) as a private sector representative from CV Manggala Utama, and Youki Yusdiantoro (YK) as a private sector representative from CV Alpagker Abadi.
They face allegations of advance project bribery (ijon) within Rejang Lebong District Government in Bengkulu during the 2025–2026 budget year.