Indonesia Arrests Regent, Officials in Bribery Case for Job Appointments

Anti-corruption authorities in Indonesia have detained the Regent of Kuantan Singingi, Riau, along with two other individuals, on suspicion of bribery related to the selection of public officials. The arrests followed a sting operation on Monday, June 29, 2026.

The detained suspects include Regent Suhardiman Amby, Regional Secretary Zulkarnain, and Ardiles, the director of PT Mitra Ideal Consultant. The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has placed them under arrest for 20 days, holding them at the KPK's Red and White Building detention center.

According to KPK's Acting Director of Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein, the case originated from a selection process for the Regional Secretary position in April 2025. Regent Suhardiman allegedly demanded a Toyota Land Cruiser GR-S from candidates Fahdiansyah and Zulkarnain. Zulkarnain, who was then Head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency, agreed to the demand and was subsequently appointed.

Zulkarnain reportedly purchased the Land Cruiser for Rp 2 billion, intending to pay in installments. However, he allegedly used Ardiles's identity to secure the credit due to his own financial profile. Furthermore, Zulkarnain had previously given Regent Suhardiman a Mitsubishi Pajero worth Rp 700 million to secure his appointment as Head of the Public Works Agency in 2021, a purchase also facilitated by Ardiles.

Ardiles's company, PT Mitra Ideal Consultant, has benefited significantly, winning 14 projects totaling Rp 1.2 billion in the Public Works Agency in 2022. The company also secured over Rp 966 million in projects from various agencies in 2025 and 2026. Zulkarnain and Ardiles face charges as bribe-givers under Article 605a of the Indonesian Criminal Code.