Bima Arya Slams Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq: If It's Corruption, It's Deliberate, Not a Lack of Understanding

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto has ridiculed Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq for claiming she does not understand governance and the law, despite having held office since 2021. Bima Arya said that if Fadia truly commits corruption, it would be deliberate rather than a lack of understanding of governance.

‘If she remains a perpetrator of corruption, that is not a lack of understanding but perhaps intentional,’ Bima Arya told Kompas.com on Friday, 6 March 2026.

He added that even if Fadia truly lacks understanding, the Golkar politician should swiftly learn, because there are numerous central government capacity-building programmes related to building a clean and service-oriented administration.

Being a regional head is a form of service rather than a source of personal gain. When someone chooses to become a regional head, they automatically bear the region’s best interests in mind.

The KPK said, following intensive investigations, that Fadia Arafiq disclosed her background as a dangdut musician. Though she admitted she is not a bureaucrat, she continued to carry out district government projects despite not understanding the law and governance.

‘In the intensive probe, FAR explained that she has a background as a dangdut musician, not a bureaucrat and does not understand the law and governance of the local government,’ said Asep Guntur Rahayu, KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, at a press conference at the Merah Putih Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

Asep noted that Fadia said technical bureaucratic matters were handed over to the Regional Secretary (Sekda), while she performed mostly ceremonial duties in Pekalongan Regency.

‘Moreover FAR has served as regent or state administrator for two terms and once as Deputy Regent from 2011-2016,’ he added.

Asep stated that Fadia, who has now been named a suspect, should understand the implementation of good governance principles in local government. However, she continued to undertake district government procurement due to conflicts of interest.

‘The Regional Secretary and several others repeatedly reminded the Bupati about potential conflicts of interest in the procurement. Nevertheless, the practice persisted by the regent,’ he said.