Rejang Lebong Regent Case: Direct Project Procurement Designation, Soliciting Fees for Eid Allowance
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has designated Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari as a suspect in an alleged bribery case involving project procurement fraud within the Rejang Lebong local government on Tuesday (10 March 2026).
In addition to Fikri, the KPK designated four other suspects: Head of the Public Works and Housing Service-Spatial Planning (Dinas PUPR-PKP) Hary Eko Purnomo, Irsyad Satria Budiman from PT Statika Mitra Sarana, Edi Manggala from CV Manggala Utama, and Youki Yudiantoro from CV Alpagker Abadi.
“Based on sufficient evidentiary foundation in the alleged corruption offence related to receipt of bribes for project procurement within the Rejang Lebong local government, the KPK is elevating this matter to the investigation phase by designating five persons as suspects,” stated KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at a press conference at the Red and White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (11 March 2026).
From the covert operation, the KPK brought nine individuals to Jakarta for further investigation, including Regent Muhammad Fikri and Rejang Lebong Deputy Regent Hendri.
However, following investigation, Hendri was found not to be involved in the bribery case based on preliminary evidence.
“The Deputy Regent, based on the results of our investigation and statements we collected, has the status of a witness,” stated Asep.
Hundreds of millions of rupiah were discovered from several locations: inside the vehicle of the Head of the Public Works and Housing Service-Spatial Planning, Hary Eko, with a nominal amount of Rp 309.2 million; inside a black bag located at Hary Eko’s residence with a nominal amount of Rp 357.6 million; and inside a suitcase stored under the television at the residence of Santri Ghozali, an ASN from the Public Works and Housing Service-Spatial Planning, with a nominal amount of Rp 90 million.
Asep stated that the covert operation conducted by the KPK originated from a complaint report from the public.
In early February 2026, Fikri, Hary Eko, and a private individual named B Daditama met at the Regent’s Official Residence.
“In that meeting, it is alleged that there was discussion regarding the arrangement or designation of contractors for project work at the Public Works and Housing Service-Spatial Planning for the 2026 fiscal year, including discussion regarding the size of the commission (bribery) of approximately 10-15 per cent of the project value,” explained Asep.
Following the contractor designation arrangement in that meeting, Regent Fikri wrote on a Physical Work Summary sheet specific letter codes representing “contractor initials”, which would carry out project packages at the Public Works and Housing Service-Spatial Planning of Rejang Lebong Regency for the 2026 fiscal year.