KPK says entertainers entering politics must learn about politics

Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) believes that an entertainer or performer who decides to enter the world of politics must learn about politics. ‘Of course, that must be followed, yes, because the world is a new world, the world of politics, yes, learn about politics, like that,’ said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu in a statement confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday. He made the remarks after Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq, following her arrest by the KPK, admitted that she did not understand the law or governance because before taking office she was not a bureaucrat, but a dangdut singer. Meanwhile, when discussing the KPK’s view on political party recruitment of entertainers or celebrities who become regional heads, after Fadia Arafiq’s remarks, Asep said it again depends on each individual. ‘We think it depends on the individuals. We cannot generalise that an entertainer entering the political arena will automatically fail in politics,’ he said. ‘There are many who have succeeded, such as those currently in the DPR, many entertainers there. I think they have been very successful. So, it depends on the individual,’ he added. He also cited Ronald Reagan, who began in the entertainment world and later became President of the United States. ‘In abroad, we can look at Ronald Reagan. If I recall correctly, he was a film star. He was successful too. So, it depends on each individual’s character, how the person wishes to work there and to embed themselves when becoming a public official,’ he said. Earlier, on 3 March 2026, KPK arrested Fadia Arafiq along with aides and trusted associates in the Semarang area, Central Java. Subsequently, the KPK announced arrests of 11 more people from Pekalongan, Central Java. The sequence of arrests was part of KPK’s seventh arrest operation (OTT) in 2026 and coincided with the Ramadan month. On 4 March 2026, KPK named Fadia Arafiq as the sole suspect in a case of alleged corruption relating to the procurement of outsourcing services or manpower outsourcing, and other procurements in Pekalongan Regency’s 2023-2026 budget year.