Handover of Acting Regent Appointment by Central Java Governor Marred by Disruption
The handover of the Acting Regent (Plt Bupati) appointment for Pekalongan Regency, accompanied by guidance from Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi to civil service apparatus officials at the Regional Secretariat Hall of Pekalongan Regency, was disrupted by a commotion involving media access restrictions.
Several journalists who arrived to cover the event were blocked and prevented from entering by officers from the Civil Service Police (Satpol PP) acting under instructions from protocol officials of the Central Java Provincial Government. The obstruction occurred at the main entrance of the Pekalongan Regency Regional Secretariat building on Monday, 9 March 2026 in the afternoon.
The journalists protested, viewing the action as an obstruction of press work. This was particularly contentious given that the event directly related to the regional government situation following the arrest of Regent Fadia Arafiq on 3 March 2026 in a corruption sting operation.
Several individuals present claimed they only wished to photograph the event for news reporting purposes. However, their request was rejected by a man believed to be a protocol officer from the Central Java Provincial Government.
One national television journalist, Suryono from MNC TV, even requested permission directly from the officer but was rejected on the grounds that coordination with superiors was needed first. When Suryono protested the restriction, stating “Why are journalists prevented from taking photographs? This amounts to obstructing our work,” the officer provided no explanation and disappeared after promising to coordinate with his superior. The atmosphere became tense, with journalists questioning the access restrictions, particularly given the event’s connection to the regional government situation following the Corruption Eradication Commission’s corruption sting operation.
“This is a corruption case. There should be transparency. What exactly are you hiding that we are not permitted to enter?” protested Suryono on behalf of his fellow journalists.
In response to their frustration with the restriction, some journalists placed their press identity cards on the floor mat directly in front of the main entrance of the secretariat hall as a symbolic protest against the coverage restrictions.
When Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi exited through the main entrance after the event concluded, he appeared startled upon seeing the scattered press identity cards on the floor and nearly stepped on them before realising what had occurred.
Addressing the journalists, the governor claimed he was unaware of any incident restricting media coverage. “I must be clear: I never issued instructions prohibiting the media,” stated Luthfi. The governor explained that his visit to Pekalongan Regency was solely to provide guidance to the regional government following the arrest of Regent Fadia Arafiq by the KPK.
“Regarding the prohibition, ask the regional government here. I never issued any order to restrict media access. I came here only to provide guidance regarding the duties and functions of the Acting Regent and to ensure that government operations continue,” Luthfi emphasised firmly.
The KPK revealed that staff members of Regent Fadia Arafiq consistently documented the receipt of funds allegedly derived from corrupt practices through WhatsApp group chats. The Corruption Eradication Commission established Fadia Arafiq as a suspect in a corruption case involving the procurement of outsourcing or labour contracting services.