KPK Reveals How the Pekalongan Regent's Son Helped Fix the Project Winner

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed that interference by individuals close to Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq extended to a procurement project involving outsourcing services. One actor cited is the Regent’s son, described by KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo as part of a scheme to ensure the contract went to PT RNB, a company linked to the Regent’s family. ‘Including how the interventions conducted by the Regent, either through his son or other parties,’ Prasetyo said at the KPK Red and White Building in South Jakarta on Friday (6/3). The intervention allegedly targeted leaders of perangkat daerah in Pekalongan Regency, with a single objective: to secure outsourcing service work for PT RNB. ‘So that these regional devices would ensure PT RNB won the procurement projects—outsourcing—across several devices,’ he added. To date, KPK has named Fadia Arafiq as the sole suspect. The Regent is currently detained for the initial 20 days to facilitate further investigations. Investigations indicate that Fadia is the beneficial owner of PT RNB and allegedly leveraged her influence to compel agencies, districts, and regional hospitals to use the company’s services. She reportedly asked multiple departments and hospitals to use PT RNB for outsourcing, and the company continued to win contracts despite other bidders offering lower prices. In the process, each village apparatus was asked to submit its self-estimated price (HPS) to PT RNB upfront, after which the family-owned firm would adjust its bid to align with the quoted figures. From 2023 to 2026, PT RNB reportedly controlled projects in 17 local government units, three RSUDs, and one district, with a total value of Rp46 billion. The KPK also plans to question the Regent’s husband (a member of the DPR) and the Regent’s son in relation to Rp19 billion in corruption funds and PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya. The KPK has received broad public support following the detention of Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq in connection with the outsourcing project alleged to be worth Rp46 billion.