Riau Governor's Aide Finally Detained by KPK in 'Thug's Share' Case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Marjani (MJN), aide to the inactive Riau Governor Abdul Wahid, as a suspect in the extortion case against Abdul Wahid’s subordinates at the Riau Public Works Department (UPT Dinas PUPR). Marjani has been detained by the KPK.
As summarised by detikcom on Tuesday (14/4/2026), the ‘thug’s share’ case originated from a KPK sting operation against Abdul Wahid in early November 2025. The KPK subsequently named three initial suspects in the extortion case within the Riau Provincial Government. The three suspects are:
Riau Governor, Abdul Wahid
Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Department (Dinas PUPR-PKPP), Muhammad Arief Setiawan
Special Advisor to the Riau Governor, Dani M Nursalam.
The KPK suspects Abdul Wahid of threatening his subordinates if they did not hand over money known as the ‘thug’s share’ amounting to Rp 7 billion. At least three fee payments for the thug’s share occurred in June, August, and November 2025.
Marjani, the KPK’s New Suspect
The KPK then named a new suspect in Abdul Wahid’s ‘thug’s share’ case. The naming of Marjani as a suspect was announced by the KPK on 9 March.
“Today the KPK is summoning parties in their capacity as witnesses for the new suspect, namely Mr MJN, who is the ADC or aide to the Riau Governor,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters on Monday (9/3).
Budi stated that the addition of this new suspect confirms that the investigation into the case is ongoing. The KPK will also delve deeper into the possibility of similar practices occurring in other sectors in the Riau region.
KPK Officially Detains Marjani
The KPK has officially detained Marjani after he was named as a suspect in Abdul Wahid’s ‘thug’s share’ case. Observations by detikcom at the KPK on Monday (13/4) showed Marjani wearing an orange vest after being examined by investigators as a suspect.
KPK officers escorted Marjani, whose hands were handcuffed. Before entering the detention vehicle, Marjani stated that he was innocent in the case. He claimed that his name was merely being used.
“There is nothing, my name was just dragged into it,” said Marjani in response to what he wanted to convey.
Marjani’s Role
The KPK has revealed Marjani’s role in Abdul Wahid’s ‘thug’s share’ case. According to the KPK, Marjani acted as the collector of money for Abdul Wahid.
“The role of MJN is very crucial, related to the collection of money from each head of UPT, because he represents Mr AW,” said Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Ahmad Taufik Husein, during a press conference at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Monday (13/4).
Taufik stated that in June 2025, the first payment from Ferry Yunanda, Secretary of the Riau Public Works and Spatial Planning Department, collected money from the Heads of UPT totalling Rp 1.6 billion. From that amount, on the orders of M Arief Setiawan (MAS), Head of PUPR PKPP, Ferry handed over Rp 1 billion to AW through the intermediary Dani M Nursalam (DAN), Special Advisor to the Riau Governor.
“Subsequently, from the total of Rp 1 billion, DAN only handed over Rp 950 million to Mr MJN, the ADC or aide to the former Riau Governor, to be used for AW’s interests,” he said.
The remaining Rp 50 million was used for Dani Nursalam’s personal interests. Not long after, Ferry Yunanda also gave Rp 600 million to Arief Setiawan’s relative.