Fadia Arafiq Named as KPK Suspect, Claims Dangdut Singer Background Left Her Unfamiliar with the Rules
The KPK has named Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq (FAR) as a suspect in a case of alleged corruption for involvement in procurement projects in the Pekalongan Regency Government. The KPK revealed that FAR argued that her background as a dangdut musician made her not understand the rules.
“During the intensive examination conducted, FAR stated that she had a background as a musician; she is not a bureaucrat. This is what Mrs. FAR said, therefore Mrs. FAR does not understand the law and governance of local government,” said KPK Deputy for Prosecution and Enforcement Asep Guntur Rahayu, at a press conference at the KPK Building, Jalan Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
Asep said Fadia also claimed bureaucratic affairs were handed to the Pekalongan regional secretary (Sekda Pekalongan). He said Fadia claimed to handle more ceremonial duties.
“FAR states that technical bureaucratic matters were handed to the regional secretary (Sekda), while she herself performed more ceremonial functions within Pekalongan Regency,” he said.
However, according to Asep, Fadia’s statements run counter to the actual situation. He said Fadia is not a newcomer to the post of regent.
“FAR is a regent or state administrator for two terms and has served once as Vice Regent from 2011-2016. Therefore, it is proper that FAR understands the principles of good governance in local government,” he added.
For information, Fadia previously served as Vice Regent of Pekalongan from 2011-2016. She then became Pekalongan Regent in 2021. Fadia was re-elected in the 2024 elections and was sworn in as Pekalongan Regent for the 2025-2030 period.
In this case, the KPK suspects that Fadia is a beneficiary or beneficial owner of PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB), which secured many outsourcing services procurement projects in the Pandeglang regional government. The KPK says the company was founded by Fadia’s husband and child.
The KPK states that PT RNB secured outsourcing projects in 17 government agencies, three regional hospitals, and one district in 2025. Asep said PT RNB received Rp 46 billion from contracts with Pekalongan Regency from 2023-2026.
“From that money, only Rp 22 billion was used to pay outsourcing staff salaries. The remainder was reportedly enjoyed and distributed to the regent’s family, totaling Rp 19 billion,” said Asep.
Here are the details:
Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq: Rp 5.5 billion;
Fadia’s husband, Ashraff: Rp 1.1 billion;
PT RNB Director Rul Bayatun: Rp 2.3 billion;
Fadia’s child Sabiq: Rp 4.6 billion;
Fadia’s child Mehnaz Na: Rp 2.5 billion;
Cash withdrawals: Rp 3 billion.
Nevertheless, other names remain as witnesses for now. The KPK has only named Fadia as a suspect. She is charged under Article 12 letter i and Article 12 B of the Corruption Eradication Law, in conjunction with Article 127(1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Penal Code.