Fadia Arafiq Admits She Does Not Understand the Law Because of Her Dangdut Background, Bima Arya Says Other Regional Heads Want to Learn

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto responded to Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq’s claim that she does not understand law and governance because of her background as a dangdut singer. He emphasised that many regional leaders without a government background are also keen to learn. Fadia was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over alleged practices in outsourcing services procurement and other procurements within the Pekalongan Regency government for the 2023–2026 financial year. ‘Many regional leaders do not come from a government background, but they are willing and able to keep learning,’ Bima Arya told Kompas.com on Thursday, 5 March 2026. Therefore, the PAN politician said, the issue depends on the individual head of region regarding corruption practices. ‘There are many training programmes from the Ministry of Home Affairs and other ministries. There are also many anti-corruption programmes. But it all returns to the personal character of the regional head,’ he added. Earlier, KPK stated, based on intensive examination, that Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq admitted her background as a dangdut musician, not a bureaucrat, and that she did not understand the law and governance of local government, according to KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Prosecution Asep Guntur Rahayu at a press conference at the Merah Putih Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.