News Summary:
- Rejang Lebong Regent, Muhammad Fikri Thobari, remained silent when officially escorted as a KPK detainee on Wednesday morning (March 11, 2026).
- Wearing the distinctive orange vest of a KPK detainee and his hands in handcuffs, Fikri was seen leaving the KPK’s Red and White Building in South Jakarta at 04:40 WIB.
- Still in sandals, Fikri dragged a large suitcase, believed to contain his clothes and personal belongings for his time in KPK custody.
Teknowarta JAKARTA – Rejang Lebong Regent, Muhammad Fikri Thobari, maintained a stoic silence as he was officially escorted into detention by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026. Clad in the distinctive orange vest of an anti-corruption agency detainee and with his hands cuffed, Thobari was observed emerging from the KPK’s Red and White Building in South Jakarta precisely at 04:40 WIB.
An intriguing scene unfolded as the regent proceeded towards the detention vehicle, according to observations by Tribunnews.com journalist Ilham Rian Pratama at the location. Notably, Fikri, still wearing sandals, laboriously dragged a sizable suitcase, which is believed to contain his personal clothing and essentials for his impending stay at the KPK Detention Center (Rutan KPK). Throughout this process, he completely ignored the barrage of questions from waiting media personnel, swiftly moving to board the detention vehicle.
This detention marks a significant development following KPK investigators officially naming five suspects in the aftermath of a recent Operation Tangkap Tangan (OTT), or sting operation, conducted in Bengkulu Province. KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo clarified that the formal determination of legal status occurred after the leadership held an exposé of the case on Tuesday evening, March 10, 2026.
“Regarding the closed investigation in the Bengkulu region, an exposé was conducted this afternoon at the leadership stage, and the legal status of the secured parties has been decided. The KPK has named five individuals as suspects in that closed investigation,” Budi stated in Jakarta, shedding light on the early stages of the probe.
Budi further elaborated on the roles of the five suspects entangled in the alleged bribery scheme related to goods and services procurement projects within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government. “The five individuals named as suspects include three alleged bribe-givers and two alleged recipients,” he explained. When pressed for confirmation regarding the Rejang Lebong Regent’s status among the suspects, Budi tersely confirmed, “Yes, he is one of them.”
The news regarding the naming of five suspects was also directly affirmed by KPK Deputy Chairman Johanis Tanak. “Yes, five people,” Tanak confirmed on Tuesday night, reinforcing the commission’s decisive action.
In a series of covert operations launched since Monday, March 9, 2026, the KPK team initially secured 13 individuals who were subsequently interrogated at the Kepahiang Police and Bengkulu City Police stations. From this group, nine individuals were flown to Jakarta under tight escort. The entourage brought to Jakarta comprised the Regent himself, Rejang Lebong Vice Regent Hendri Praja, three Civil Servants (ASN), and four individuals from the private sector.
Beyond securing the alleged perpetrators, investigative teams successfully seized various pieces of evidence that significantly bolster the case of alleged bribery practices. According to Budi Prasetyo, the team confiscated documents, electronic evidence, and cash in rupiah, all vital to the ongoing investigation.
The implication of Fikri Thobari in this high-profile corruption case has immediately triggered severe political repercussions for his career. The Central Executive Board of the National Mandate Party (DPP PAN) swiftly took decisive action, removing him from his position as chairman of the DPD PAN Rejang Lebong. DPP PAN Deputy Chairman, Viva Yoga Mauladi, affirmed the dismissal, emphasizing the party’s unwavering commitment to transparency. “The DPP PAN has dismissed Muhammad Fikri Thobari from his structural party position. For now, the chairmanship of DPD PAN Rejang Lebong will be taken over by DPW PAN Bengkulu,” Viva stated, adding that the party fully respects the legal process undertaken by the KPK.
While the Regent has been transferred to the KPK Detention Center, the commission has yet to publicly disclose the full specifics of the case’s construction, detailed project information, the exact amount of the alleged bribe, or the identities of the other four suspects. It is anticipated that all intricate details of this complex case will be unveiled to the public by the KPK during an official press conference scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Summary
Rejang Lebong Regent, Muhammad Fikri Thobari, was officially detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026, following a sting operation. Wearing an orange detainee vest and handcuffs, he remained silent while being escorted from the KPK Building, dragging a large suitcase. Thobari is among five individuals named as suspects in an alleged bribery scheme related to goods and services procurement projects in Rejang Lebong Regency.
The KPK confirmed that the five suspects include three alleged bribe-givers and two alleged recipients, with Thobari identified as one of them. Following his detention, the Central Executive Board of the National Mandate Party (DPP PAN) swiftly dismissed him from his position as chairman of DPD PAN Rejang Lebong. Further details regarding the case, including project specifics and bribe amounts, are anticipated to be announced by the KPK in an upcoming press conference.