For the first time, the KPK invokes a conflict-of-interest provision in the arrest of Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said the use of Article 12(i) of the Law No. 31/1999 on the Eradication of Corruption as amended by Law No. 20/2001 in a handcuff operation implicating Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq was the first time the anti-corruption commission employed the provision. ‘The construction of the case and the application of Article 12(i) in the Pekalongan arrest case is the first at the KPK,’ KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo told reporters on Thursday (5 March 2026). He said this shows that the modus operandi of corruption crimes continues to metamorphose into increasingly complex and intricate forms. Therefore, public support and other stakeholders such as the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) are vital, including information, data, and financial transactions. Previously, the KPK named Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq as a suspect in a case of suspected corruption in the procurement of outsourcing goods and services within the Pekalongan Regency on Wednesday (4 March 2026). The KPK subsequently detained Fadia Arafiq for the first 20 days from 4–23 March 2026 at the State Detention Centre (Rutan) Gedung Merah Putih Branch of the KPK. In this case, Fadia is alleged to be involved in a complete sequence: establishing the family company PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB), taking part in procurement projects in the Pekalongan Regency, directing subordinates to secure her company’s win, and billions of rupiah flowing back to her family circle. Moreover, a large portion of PT RNB’s staff were Fadia’s campaign team, employed in several Pekalongan Regency government bodies. In 2025, PT RNB dominated outsourcing procurement projects in the Pekalongan Regency by handling outsourcing services in 17 Regional Apparatuses, 3 RSUDs, and 1 Kecamatan. Looking further, from 2023 to 2026, inflows to PT RNB totalled Rp46 billion sourced from contracts between PT RNB and Regional Apparatus in the Pekalongan Regency. Of that sum, only Rp22 billion was used to pay outsourcing staff salaries. For her actions, Fadia is charged with corruption under Article 12(i) and Article 12(b) of Law No. 31/1999 on the Eradication of Corruption, as amended by Law No. 20/2001, in conjunction with Article 127(1) of Law No. 1/2023 on the Penal Code (KUHP).