Regional Officials and Businesspeople Implicated in Rejang Lebong Bupati Bribery Case

The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has officially revealed the identities of four additional suspects ensnared in an alleged bribery case involving project kickbacks at the Rejang Lebong Regency Government (Pemkab) in Bengkulu. All four have been designated as suspects alongside Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT).

KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, explained that the suspects comprise government officials and private sector actors.

“HEP as Head of the Public Works, Housing, and Settlement Development Department of Rejang Lebong, IRS as a private party from PT SMS, EDM as a private party from CV MU, and YK as a private party from CV AA,” stated Asep Guntur Rahayu at the KPK Red-White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (11 March).

Based on compiled information, the four suspects have been identified through the investigation.

Asep revealed that in the alleged corruption scheme covering the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Regent Fikri Thobari, together with Harry Eko Purnomo, acted as bribe recipients. Meanwhile, the three private sector suspects—IRS, EDM, and YK—are strongly suspected of acting as bribe providers.

The case originated from a controlled arrest operation (OTT) conducted by the KPK on 9 March 2026. During the operation, investigators secured the Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Deputy Regent Hendri, and 11 others.

Following the arrests, on 10 March 2026, the KPK transported the Regent, Deputy Regent, and seven others to Jakarta for intensive questioning. On the same day, the anti-corruption agency designated five individuals as primary suspects, comprising two bribe recipients and three bribe providers.

The KPK seized approximately Rp756.8 million during the controlled arrest operation against Regent Rejang Lebong Muhammad Fikri Thobari. The funds are suspected to have originated from project bribery and were allegedly intended for Eid al-Fitr expenses.

Member of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Mardani Ali Sera, described the recent wave of controlled arrest operations ensnaring numerous regional leaders as a calamity.

The wave of controlled arrest operations by the KPK against regional leaders shows no signs of abating in 2026. This latest case represents a continuation of heightened scrutiny into corruption at the local government level across Indonesia.