Fadia's Dangdut Background Claim After OTT Sting Fails to Convince KPK
The KPK has named the Regent of Pekalongan, Fadia Arafiq (FAR), as a suspect in a case of alleged corruption over involvement in procurement projects in the Pekalongan Regency Government. The agency disclosed that FAR claimed she did not understand the rules because she used to be a dangdut performer.
The KPK alleges that FAR is the beneficial owner (BO) of PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB), a company that won many outsourcing service procurement projects in the Pekalongan Regency. The KPK states that the company is founded by FAR’s husband and child.
PT RNB is said to have obtained outsourcing projects in 17 regional devices/agencies, three regional hospitals and one district in 2025. Asep said PT RNB earned Rp46 billion from contracts with the Pekalongan Regency Government across 2023-2026.
Here are the details:
Regent of Pekalongan Fadia Arafiq: Rp5.5 billion;
FAR’s husband, Ashraff: Rp1.1 billion;
Director of PT RNB, Rul Bayatun: Rp2.3 billion;
FAR’s son, Sabiq: Rp4.6 billion;
FAR’s daughter, Mehnaz Na: Rp2.5 billion;
and a cash withdrawal of Rp3 billion.
Nevertheless, other names so far remain as witnesses. The KPK has only named FAR as a suspect. She faces Articles 12(i) and 12(B) of the Corruption Eradication Act in conjunction with Article 127(1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP).
Raising the Dangdut Musician Background
FAR invoked her background as a dangdut musician. This is the reason she says she does not understand bureaucracy.
“In the intensive questioning, FAR explained that she has a background as a musician; she is not a bureaucrat. This is what Ms FAR conveyed, therefore she does not understand the law and the governance of local government,” said Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, at a press conference at the KPK Building, Jalan Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (4/3).
Asep said FAR also argued that bureaucratic affairs were handed over to the Pekalongan Secretary (Sekda). He noted that FAR claimed to handle mostly ceremonial duties.
“FAR admits that technical bureaucratic matters are handed over to the secretary, while she plays a more ceremonial role within the Pekalongan Regency,” he said.
FAR’s Statements Contradict the Situation
However, Asep said FAR’s statements contradict the actual situation. He noted that FAR is not a new governor.
“FAR is a regent or state administrator for two terms and once served as Vice Regent from 2011-2016. Therefore, she should understand the principles of good governance in local government,” he said.
For information, FAR served as Pekalongan’s Vice Regent from 2011-2016. She then became Regent in 2021. FAR was re-elected in the 2024 elections and sworn in as Regent for the 2025-2030 period.
Ignoring the Sekda’s Advice
FAR is said to have been warned about conflicts of interest in the procurement. This was conveyed by the Secretary of State and others.
“The Secretary of State and several others have repeatedly reminded the Regent about potential conflicts of interest in the procurement,” said Asep.
Asep said FAR did not heed warnings from her subordinates. She persisted with using her family’s company to run the procurement projects in the Pekalongan Regency.
“Nevertheless, such practices continued by the Regent,” he said.
After a year in office, her son and husband founded a company named PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB). FAR became the beneficial owner (BO) of the company.
The company also included FAR’s campaign team. She sought regional devices/agencies to award contracts to that company.