Golkar Views Surge in Regional Head Arrests as Cause for Reflection
Jakarta — The Golkar Party views the phenomenon of numerous regional heads ensnared in corruption sting operations (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) as a matter requiring reflection.
Most recently, within one week, the KPK conducted sting operations against two regents.
“So with all these sting operations, we must reflect on why there are so many OTT cases. Why does corrupt practice still occur frequently,” said M Sarmuji, Chairman of the Golkar Party Faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives, in the Senayan area of Jakarta on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.
He expressed reluctance to continually hear of KPK sting operations occurring periodically.
“We hope that Indonesia can address and prevent such bad practices in government. To do so, we must certainly find out what the root of the problem is,” he continued.
One factor, he argued, is the high cost of politics.
“If this is happening among politicians, perhaps our politics is too expensive. Our regional elections are too expensive,” he said.
In Semarang, the KPK arrested Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq along with his aide and trusted associates in the early hours of Tuesday, 3 March 2026. The sting operation against Fadia Arafiq, notably a Golkar member, was related to alleged corruption in the procurement of goods and outsourcing services within the Pekalongan regional government. In this case, Fadia is suspected of involvement in establishing a family company, PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB), participating in procurement projects within the Pekalongan regional government, directing subordinates to award contracts to his company, and then channelling billions of rupiah in profits back to his family circle.
A week later, in Bengkulu, the KPK arrested Regent and Vice Regent of Rejang Lebong Muhammad Fikri Thobari and Hendri on Monday evening, 9 March 2026. Both were arrested in connection with alleged bribery in development projects within the regional government.
Prior to these two cases, seven other regional leaders have been caught in KPK sting operations during the administration of President Prabowo Subianto. They are Regent of East Kolaka Abdul Azis, Governor of Riau Abdul Wahid, Regent of Ponorogo Sugiri Sancoko, Regent of Central Lampung Ardito Wijaya, Regent of Bekasi Ade Kuswara Kunang, Mayor of Madiun Maidi, and Regent of Pati Sudewo.