Rejang Lebong Regent Allegedly Imposed 15 Per Cent Project Fee for Eid and Allowances
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed the motive behind the bribery allegations involving Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT), who was arrested during an anti-corruption operation. The KPK stated that one reason the suspect allegedly committed corruption was to cover operational costs ahead of Eid 2026.
Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, explained that MFT allegedly demanded a fee of between 10 and 15 per cent from the value of projects under the Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing, and Settlement Administration Office (PUPRPKP) of Rejang Lebong Regency.
“The demand for fees (project advance payments) from contractors is suspected to stem from the need ahead of the Eid holiday,” said Asep Guntur during a press conference at the KPK’s Red and White Building in South Jakarta on Wednesday (11 March).
Asep explained that this corrupt practice was driven by the habit of regional heads feeling burdened to provide Holiday Allowances (THR) to subordinates, relatives, and colleagues. However, personal expenditure for sharing during the Eid holiday should come from legitimate income.
“How can an official not provide THR? That is one reason. Eid is synonymous with sharing, but it is expected that this comes from legitimate wealth. Because there may not be enough money yet, to cover this, methods like these were employed,” said Asep.
Asep explained that the construction of the case began in February 2026, when MFT held a meeting at his official residence with the Head of PUPRPKP, Harry Eko Purnomo (HEP). At that meeting, there was an arrangement or plotting of contractors for physical projects valued at Rp91.13 billion.
MFT allegedly wrote contractor initials on a work summary sheet, which was then sent via WhatsApp message to his trusted associate. In return for this direct appointment, the KPK found evidence of initial advance payment transfers from three private contractors totalling Rp980 million.
The KPK has now established five suspects and held them for the next 20 days at the Detention Centre of the Red and White Building. The five suspects are Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari (MFT), Head of PUPRPKP Harry Eko Purnomo (HEP), and three private parties: Irsyad Satria Budiman (IRS), Edi Manggala (EDM), and Youki Yusdiantoro (YK).
Regent MFT and Official HEP, as bribe recipients, are charged under Article 12(a) or (b) of the Corruption Eradication Law. Meanwhile, the three private contractors, as bribe givers, are charged with violating Article 605(1) or Article 606(1) of the latest Criminal Code.
The KPK seized evidence in the form of hundreds of millions of rupiah in cash and arrested five suspects in the alleged bribery case involving Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari. The KPK seized Rp756.8 million during the arrest of Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, money that is suspected to come from project bribes and for Eid needs.