Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq Unaware She Has Committed Corruption, Claims to Be a Dangdut Singer

Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq says she was unaware that she had committed a crime. She claimed she had no knowledge of graft because she comes from a background as a dangdut singer.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Fadia Arafiq as a suspect in a case of alleged corruption in the procurement of goods and outsourcing services in Pekalongan Regency.

During questioning, she claimed to be a dangdut musician rather than a bureaucrat and said she did not understand the law or governance of local government. Deputy for Enforcement and Prosecution Asep Guntur Rahayu told reporters at the KPK’s Merah Putih building in South Jakarta on Wednesday, 4 March.

Asep explained that Fadia said all bureaucratic tasks were handed over to the Regional Secretary of Pekalongan Regency. She also claimed to only perform ceremonial duties at her job.

‘However, that line of defence was rejected by investigators. They argued that the position of regent across two terms and one term as deputy implies knowledge of governance and good governance principles,’ Asep said.

The KPK has disclosed that Fadia had been warned by the Regional Secretary and other officials to secure the family company’s win as a regional vendor.

The KPK named Fadia Arafiq as a suspect in the case of alleged corruption in the procurement of outsourcing services in Pekalongan. The KPK explained the modus operandi used by Fadia.

The KPK has named the Rp46 billion project as the subject of the corruption case. The money allegedly flowed to her husband and child through family companies.

The KPK has named Fadia Arafiq as a sole suspect in the case of corruption in the procurement of goods and services. Fadia has been detained until 23 March 2026.