Jakarta. Meranti Islands Regent Muhammad Ali is accused of illegally collecting Rp 26 billion ($1.7 million) in cash from his own subordinates and a travel company for his personal interests, including his gubernatorial aspiration for the 2024 election.

Adil, who controversially threatened to “take up arms” in protest of disproportionate revenue sharing with the central government last December, was caught red-handed committing to bribery during a raid in the regency, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced on Friday.

"Preliminary evidence in the corruption charges against MA indicated that he has received cash amounting to Rp 26.1 billion from various sources that we will investigate further," KPK Deputy Chairman Alexander Marwata said, referring to the suspect by his initials.

"The money is intended to be used in the political campaign and his bid to join the gubernatorial race in Riau in 2024," he added.

The disgraced regent has allegedly accepted fees from a local Umrah travel agency that won a contract from the Meranti Islands government. He is also accused of ordering his subordinates to cut the budget of their respective division by up to 10 percent and hand the money to him.

“I apologize to the people of Meranti Islands for my conduct,” Adil said when he was confronted by members of the media at the KPK building in Jakarta early on Saturday.

But he declined to respond to many questions from journalists.

The KPK said that the ill-gotten money was channeled through regency government treasurer Fitria Nengsih, reportedly Adil’s most trusted aide.

In addition, the KPK accused him of bribing state auditor Fahmi Aressa to get a clean opinion. 

Both Fitria and Fahmi have been named corruptions suspects.