Deputy Speaker of the DPR's Commission II Slams Fadia Arafiq, Who Claims Not to Understand the Rules Despite Being Incumbent

Deputy Speaker of the DPR’s Commission II, Dede Yusuf, hopes the corruption case involving Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq will serve as a lesson for all regional heads. He criticised Fadia Arafiq, who should be learning the rules given her incumbent status.

‘I think anyone who wants to become a regional head must understand bureaucracy, must learn administration, and also must learn the laws, including those relating to regional governance, especially if they have already served as incumbent multiple times,’ Dede Yusuf said when contacted on Thursday (5/3/2026).

He said the case could be a lesson for other regional heads. ‘I think this is a lesson for every regional head,’ he added.

He also highlighted the importance of party political cadre development for candidates for regional heads. This ensures candidates understand what is allowed and what is not allowed under the law.

‘That is why there is a need for a party political cadre system for regional head candidates — to first understand what is allowed and what is not allowed in accordance with the statutory regulations,’ he said.

Fadia Arafiq Allegedly Claimed Not Understanding the Rules

Earlier reports said the KPK revealed Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq admitted not understanding bureaucracy due to her background as a dangdut musician. Arafiq said she only carried out ceremonial functions.

‘FAR admitted that the technical matters of bureaucracy were delegated to the Regional Secretary (Sekda), while she herself more often carried out ceremonial duties in the Pekalongan Regency,’ said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at a press conference at the Red and White Building in Jakarta, quoted on Thursday (5/3).

Asep said Fadia should understand bureaucratic matters because she is serving her second term as regent. He said the regent should understand the principles of good governance in local government.

‘Moreover FAR has been a regent or state administrator for two terms and has once served as Deputy Regent from 2011-2016. Therefore it is appropriate that FAR understand the implementation of good governance principles in local government,’ he said.