KPK Unveils Pekalongan Regent Case as Evidence that Corruption Modus Operandi in Indonesia Is Becoming More Complex

Jakarta, VIVA – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) says the case of alleged corruption involving Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq provides evidence that corruption modus operandi is becoming more complex. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said this in parallel with the first time the application of Article 12(i) of Indonesian Law No. 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Corruption, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001, to a case of a sting operation (OTT) without other articles. The provision concerns conflicts of interest.

“The construction of the case and the application of Article 12(i) in the caught-red-handed incident in Pekalongan is the first at the KPK. This also shows that corruption crimes continue to metamorphose into being increasingly complex and intricate,” Budi told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

Therefore, he said public support and stakeholders such as the Financial Transaction Reporting and Analysis Centre (PPATK) become important, both with data on financial transactions.

“Thus, it could open space for the dark side of bribery,” he said.

Earlier, on 3 March 2026, the KPK arrested Fadia Arafiq together with aides and trusted associates in the Semarang area, Central Java. Subsequently, the KPK announced the arrest of 11 more people from Pekalongan, Central Java. The string of arrests formed part of KPK’s seventh sting operation (OTT) in 2026 and coincided with Ramadan.

On 4 March 2026, the KPK named Fadia Arafiq as the sole suspect in a case of alleged corruption related to outsourcing services or tenaga alih daya, and other procurements in Pekalongan Regency for the 2023-2026 budget year. (Ant)