Golkar Addresses Expensive Regional Elections Amid Spate of Anti-Corruption Arrests: Monthly Enforcement Operations
Golkar Party Secretary-General Muhammad Sarmuji has raised concerns about regional heads caught in KPK anti-corruption operations over the past week, calling for all parties to engage in self-reflection regarding the cases ensnaring local leaders.
“There are many of these operations, so we need to reflect on why there are so many? Why does corruption still occur frequently? We must reflect so that we are not caught up in unpleasant headlines,” Sarmuji told reporters on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
Sarmuji expressed regret that regional heads, including Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq and Rejang Lebong Regent Muhammad Fikri Thobari, have been ensnared in KPK operations. He wants corruption cases to be addressed from their root causes.
“We can’t keep being served news of operations month after month, year after year. We hope that Indonesia could manage and prevent bad practices in government. To do that, we must identify what the source of the problem is,” he said.
The Golkar Parliamentary Faction Chair then highlighted the high cost of politics, particularly in regional election systems. He urged the public not to ignore this issue.
“First, perhaps our politics is too expensive. In terms of politicians, maybe our politics is too costly. Our regional elections are too expensive,” Sarmuji said.
“Perhaps people can’t imagine it. Parts of the public turn a blind eye or don’t want to know that regional elections carry very significant consequences. Especially regarding poor practices in state management,” he added.
Sarmuji acknowledged that anti-corruption operations against those who violate the law remain necessary to deter wrongdoing. However, he stressed that the root causes of corruption must also be identified and resolved.
“In essence, we must find the root of the problem. Sometimes speaking out about this isn’t popular either. Let’s be honest with ourselves,” Sarmuji said.
“Anti-corruption operations are necessary when there are wrongdoers. But we must find the root cause. We shouldn’t just extinguish the symptoms or remove the smoke—we need to put out the fire,” he added.
The KPK recently conducted another operation against a regional head, most recently targeting Rejang Lebong Regent Fikri Thobari. The arrest of PAN member Fikri Thobari marks the second anti-corruption operation against a regional head this week.
Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq was previously subjected to the same action. Fadia, a Golkar Party member, has been designated as a suspect.