Timeline of Rejang Lebong Regent's Arrest: Fleeing into Alleyways and Car Chase Pursuit
Rejang Lebong Regent M Fikri Thobari was ensnared in an anti-corruption operation (OTT) by the KPK. The KPK operation in Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu, was marked by surveillance through residential alleyways and a vehicle chase involving one of the suspects.
KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu explained that the operation began when KPK officers monitored the District Head of Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Areas (PUPRPKP) of Rejang Lebong, Harry Eko Purnomo, on Monday, 9 March. Harry Eko was suspected of carrying a backpack containing bribes for project kickbacks.
Harry, who was being driven by a Rejang Lebong municipal government official with initials SAG, apparently became aware that he was being followed by KPK investigators. He then managed to flee the pursuit by entering residential alleyways.
“So when we were following, there were people on motorcycles taking photos, for example. That was documented. There were indeed several times when the person being followed was aware, knowing that he was being followed. Eventually he entered an alley, changed vehicles, and other things,” explained Asep during a press conference at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 March 2025.
“Thankfully, with assistance from the community. With help from the community, even when he entered the alley, we were able to be informed,” Asep added.
On the same occasion, KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that when the suspect entered the alley, investigators temporarily lost his trail. Investigators later located Harry again in a vehicle.
“Then the team found him again where the person in question, HEP, had changed and was using a different vehicle. This was then followed by the team until finally the team secured HEP along with other parties whilst breaking their fast,” said Budi.
Budi explained that when securing Harry, investigators found cash totalling Rp 310 million inside the vehicle. Investigators then immediately went to Harry’s residence where they discovered a further Rp 357 million. Meanwhile, at SAG’s residence, investigators found Rp 90 million.
The operation did not end there. Investigators then continued pursuing another suspect. It was during the securing of suspect Irsyad Satria Budiman (IRS), according to Budi, that a vehicle chase took place.
“The team continued pursuing until approximately 11:30 p.m. the person in question, IRS. There was a vehicle chase and he was finally secured at around 11:30 p.m. in Bengkulu,” Budi explained.
After all 13 individuals, including Regent Fikri, were secured, investigators immediately brought them to Kepahiang Police Resort and Bengkulu Police Resort for questioning. Following initial examination, nine individuals were brought to Jakarta, with five of them designated as suspects.
The KPK designated five individuals as suspects in this case:
Muhammad Fikri Thobari, Rejang Lebong Regent 2025-2030
Harry Eko Purnomo, Head of the District Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Areas (PUPRPKP) of Rejang Lebong
Irsyad Satria Budiman, private party from PT Statika Mitra Sarana
Edi Manggala, private party from CV Manggala Utama
Youki Yusdiantoro, private party from CV Alpagker Abadi