Rejang Lebong Regional Secretary: Public Services Remain Normal Following KPK Sting Operation

Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu — The Regional Secretary of Rejang Lebong Regency in Bengkulu Province, Iwan Sumantri, has assured that government operations and public services in the region will continue normally following a sting operation conducted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday evening (9 March) that resulted in the arrest of the regent and several officials and private sector individuals.

“We ensure that government operations continue as usual. All regional government agencies (OPD) are instructed to continue carrying out their duties and services to the community properly,” said Iwan Sumantri whilst providing a statement in Rejang Lebong on Tuesday.

He explained that the ongoing legal proceedings must not hinder the obligations of civil servants in serving the public. He guaranteed that bureaucratic stability in the Rejang Lebong Regency administration would be maintained.

Regarding the details of the covert operation conducted by the anti-corruption agency, Sumantri said he had yet to receive a detailed report on the timeline or the exact identity of the officials who had been apprehended.

“I only received this information after dawn prayers. For more details, we are still awaiting an official statement from the KPK,” he said.

He urged all employees within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government to remain focused on their work and not be influenced by unverified reports, whilst awaiting further developments.

After making the statement to the media, Regional Secretary Iwan Sumantri immediately resumed his regular duties. He was observed chairing a coordination meeting with several heads of regional government agencies at the regent’s office to ensure that regional work programmes proceed as planned.

Earlier, the KPK enforcement team was reported to have conducted the sting operation at the residence of Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri in Bengkulu City on Monday evening (9 March) involving several regional officials suspected of corruption offences, including Regent Muhammad Fikri, the head of the Public Works and Housing Agency (HEP), a Public Works and Housing Agency staff member (J), and contractors (EM and Y).

To date, the KPK has not issued an official statement regarding the legal status of those apprehended.