Second Wife of Kuansing Regent Detained by KPK Over Pajero Bribe

The second wife of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing) Regent Suhardiman Amby, Suci Nitia Edward, was briefly detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) during a sting operation. The KPK stated that Suci had been using a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, an asset received as a bribe by her husband. Suhardiman was named a suspect alongside two others: Zulkarnain, the Kuansing Regional Secretary, and Ardiles, the Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant. The charges followed a KPK sting operation in Kuansing. Suhardiman and Zulkarnain surrendered on Tuesday evening (30/6/2026) after initially fleeing. During the operation at the regent’s official residence, KPK investigators encountered Suci as they searched for Suhardiman. ‘The second wife was detained because when the team went to SA’s house, she was the only one there, as a witness in this case,’ said KPK Acting Director of Investigations Achmad Taufik at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday evening (1/7). Investigators had identified Suci as the user of a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, valued at Rp 700 million, which was allegedly given as a bribe by Zulkarnain. ‘It is true that the regent’s second wife was also detained by the team because the Pajero Sport was used by her,’ he said. The KPK will continue to examine Suci to determine the extent of her involvement and the details of how the vehicle was handed over. ‘Those suspected of using the vehicle given by ZKN will be questioned further. So, the status of SA’s second wife is as a witness in this case,’ he explained. Suhardiman allegedly received the Pajero Sport bribe in 2021 while serving as acting regent, to facilitate Zulkarnain’s appointment as Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency. ‘This is not the first time ZKN has done this. When he was appointed as agency head, he also gave something to SA, who was then acting regent,’ Taufik said. Zulkarnain reportedly purchased the Rp 700 million Pajero Sport on credit, assisted by Ardiles, the Director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant. The KPK suspects Ardiles subsequently won 13 projects at the Public Works Agency, worth a total of Rp 1.2 billion in 2022. ‘ARD again won projects in several agencies and the Kuansing regional secretariat in 2025 and 2026, worth more than Rp 966 million,’ Taufik added. In 2026, Suhardiman allegedly received a Toyota Land Cruiser worth Rp 2 billion to select Zulkarnain as Regional Secretary. The case began in April 2025, when Suhardiman, as regent for the 2025-2030 period, allegedly demanded an SUV from candidates for the regional secretary post. Only Zulkarnain agreed, purchasing the Land Cruiser on a five-year instalment plan of Rp 46.5 million per month from a showroom in the Greater Jakarta area. As Zulkarnain’s credit profile was insufficient, Ardiles’ identity was used for the purchase. Zulkarnain and Ardiles face charges under Articles 605 or 606 of the 2023 Criminal Code, while Suhardiman is charged under Article 12 of the 1999 Anti-Corruption Law.