Rejang Lebong Bupati Graft Case: Anti-Corruption Commission Names Five Suspects

The Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has held a case review meeting to follow up on an operation to catch red-handed (OTT) alleged bribery involving Rejang Lebong Bupati from Bengkulu Province, Muhammad Fikri Thobari, and associates.

The KPK has designated five individuals as suspects, though their identities have not yet been disclosed. These will be announced at a press conference at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March.

“Yes, five people [have been established as suspects],” said KPK Vice-Chair Johanis Tanak when confirmed via written message on Tuesday, 10 March.

According to sources familiar with the case handling, one of the suspects is Bupati Fikri.

Earlier, KPK enforcement teams detained a total of 13 people in a covert operation in Bengkulu on Monday, 9 March. After initial questioning at Bengkulu Police Station, nine of them were brought to Jakarta for further investigation. Two of these were Bupati Fikri and Deputy Bupati Hendri Praja.

“In addition to securing several individuals, the team also secured evidence including documents, electronic evidence and cash,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo on Tuesday, 10 March.

Parallel to the questioning process, the KPK has also sealed several work offices within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government.

“Of course this is necessary for the investigation process, and the team carried out the sealing,” said Budi.