Bima Arya suspects Fadia Arafiq of feigning governance knowledge and then gaming the system

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto suspects Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq, who had claimed not to understand governance and the law after being arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Bima Arya suspects that Fadia Arafiq may in fact have a thorough understanding of governance, enabling her to game the system. Fadia Arafiq has served as Pekalongan regent for two terms, namely 2021-2025 and 2025-2030. Moreover, in 2011-2016, Fadia previously served as Pekalongan Vice Regent. Bima Arya reminded that being a regional leader is an act of service, not a means of livelihood. When someone decides to become a regional head, he said, they automatically have the region’s best vision for their region. “Consequently, for the vision to be realised, the regional head must understand how to realise it, including governance which also encompasses the management of the region’s finances,” he said. According to Bima Arya, even if it is true that Fadia does not understand governance, the Golkar politician should learn quickly. “If she still ends up as a perpetrator of corruption, that’s not understanding but perhaps intent. There are many training programmes from the central government related to capacity building for a clean and service-oriented government,” added Bima Arya, who formerly served as Bogor mayor. KPK said that, based on intensive examination, Fadia Arafiq stated that she has a background as a dangdut musician. Although she claimed not to be a bureaucrat, Fadia continued to work on Regency Government projects even though she did not understand how the law and governance of local administration work. “In the intensive examination, FAR explained that she has a background as a dangdut musician, not a bureaucrat and does not understand the law and governance of local administration,” said KPK Deputy Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu, at a press conference at the Merah Putih Building, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/3/2026). Asep stated that Fadia said that the technically bureaucratic matters were ultimately handed over to the Regional Secretary (Sekda).