KPK Responds to Dangdut Singer-Turned-Regent Fadia’s Excuse: Officials Must Learn
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has asserted that every celebrity or entertainer who decides to enter politics must study governance. This statement comes in response to Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq’s admission that she did not understand procurement rules due to her background as a dangdut singer.
Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, said transitioning to the public sphere requires taking on new responsibilities and learning the applicable rules.
‘Of course, one must follow with learning, because the political world is a new world, you must learn about politics, like that,’ he told Antara on Thursday (5 Mar).
Responding to the phenomenon of political parties recruiting celebrities as regional leaders, Asep said success in politics cannot be generalized only by prior profession. It all returns to individual commitment.
‘We think it depends on the individuals. We cannot generalize that an entertainer enters politics and then in politics it won’t work,’ he said.
Asep gave examples of public figures who have successfully transformed into skilled politicians, both nationally and internationally. He even cited former United States President as a reference.
‘There are many who have succeeded, such as those currently in the DPR; many entertainers are there. I think they are very successful. So it depends on the individual,’ he added.
‘In the out- side world, you can see Ronald Reagan. That was before; if I’m not mistaken, a film star. He also succeeded. So it depends on each person, how that person wants to work there and truly embody themselves as a public official,’ he added.
Previously, Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq (FAR) admitted to KPK investigators that she did not know the rules for goods and services procurement due to her background as a former dangdut singer.
Fadia was nabbed in KPK’s seventh Operation Tangkap Tangan (OTT) in 2026, which took place during Ramadan. She was arrested in the Semarang area on 3 March 2026 with aides and trusted associates. In total, KPK detained 11 others from Pekalongan region.
On 4 March 2026, KPK officially named Fadia Arafiq as the sole suspect in the alleged corruption case involving the procurement of outsourcing services (labour subs) and other procurements within Pekalongan Regency Government for the 2023-2026 fiscal year. (P-4)
KPK revealed that the corruption case involving Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq illustrates that corruption modus operandi in Indonesia is becoming more complex.
KPK is seeking further evidence to designate new suspects in the alleged tender project corruption case involving Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq.
KPK disclosed that companies owned by Fadia Arafiq’s family dominated the goods and services procurement projects within the Pekalongan Regency Government during 2025.
Fadia Arafiq is suspected of using family-owned firms to win outsourcing services procurement contracts within Pekalongan Regency, Central Java.
KPK revealed that the husband and child of Fadia Arafiq also received money from alleged acts of corruption.
The hearing into the Pantura Road blockade case, involving two leaders of the Alliance of People of Pati United (AMPB) Supriyono alias Botok and Teguh Istiyanto, is nearing its final stage.
KPK sealed off a salon business, a restaurant, and several cars at the official residence believed to belong to Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq.
KPK disclosed details of the OTT against Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq in connection with alleged bribery in outsourcing procurement at Pekalongan Regency.