Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq Admits Not Understanding Local Government
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Golkar faction, Ahmad Irawan, said that every regional head may ask questions and request explanations from various state institutions or ministries if there is something not fully understood in the course of duty.
‘If there is something you do not know and it is unclear, every regional head has a place to ask. For example to the Ministry of Home Affairs as the government authority overseeing regional administration, in relation to the management of regional governance,’ Ahmad said when contacted on Friday (6 March 2026).
The statement was made in response to Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq’s confession that she did not understand law and governance of the local government, because she comes from a background as a dangdut singer.
He emphasised that regional heads can consult with ministries or state institutions related to running the government.
He added that the government has also prepared local bureaucratic apparatus to help regional heads in running governance.
‘In fact, the state has prepared regional governance apparatus such as local bureaucracies to be a supporting system to support regional heads in terms of administration, management and operations to ensure governance of the government in accordance with law,’ he said.
Therefore, he believes the pretext of not understanding law and governance does not apply to regional heads, because they are still held to understand the law and governance in carrying out their duties.
Earlier reported, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that Fadia admitted not understanding the law and governance of the regional administration during questioning.
‘During an intensive examination, FAR explained that she is a dangdut musician by background, not a bureaucrat, and does not understand the law and governance of the regional administration,’ said Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, at a press conference at the Red and White Building of KPK, Jakarta, Wednesday (4 March 2026).
Fadia was previously named a suspect in a case of alleged corruption related to outsourcing services procurement and other procurement within Pekalongan Regency government in the 2023-2026 budget year.