Regent of Rejang Lebong Suspected of Accepting Bribes from Project Funds for Holiday Allowances to Citizens
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) alleges that the Regent of Rejang Lebong, Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT), solicited bribes or fees amounting to approximately 10-15 per cent from appointed contractors because of financial needs ahead of Eid 1447 Hijri, including funds to distribute holiday allowances (Tunjangan Hari Raya/THR) to residents.
“The alleged request for fees or advance payments from contractors appointed by the regent is believed to stem from financial requirements ahead of Eid,” stated KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at the Red and White Building of the KPK in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Asep further stated that the KPK suspects Fikri Thobari engaged in this conduct because he was burdened by the tradition or customary practice of regional heads distributing THR.
“There is something that has become a habit, not an obligation, such as THR. It is not written down, but it has become customary for a leader or regional head to do so. Ultimately, it becomes a burden—how can an official not provide THR? That is one of the factors,” he explained.
Additionally, he noted that the KPK suspects Fikri Thobari lacked legitimate income to set aside for THR distributions.
“Obviously, it would be expected to come from legitimate money or assets. However, perhaps because he did not have the funds, he resorted to methods such as these,” he said.
The compensation for these projects was set at 10-15 per cent of the value of works projects under the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Area Service for the 2026 financial year. The budget for this service was reported to reach Rp91.13 billion.
Previously, on 9 March 2026, the KPK arrested Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Deputy Regent Hendri, and 11 others in a raid operation concerning allegations of bribery related to 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 the alleged corruption case involving bribery.
On 11 March 2026, the KPK announced the identities of the suspects: Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT), Head of the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Area Service 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.