Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq's bribery modus operandi: using a family company to win tenders

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq (FAR) as a suspect in a case of alleged bribery in the procurement of outsourcing services in her jurisdiction. The KPK described the modus operandi as directing a family‑affiliated ‘parent company’ to win outsourcing tenders from several regional departments. Officials were allegedly instructed to ensure the ‘parent company’ won, a practice that could potentially cause losses to the state.

Investigators say Fadia Arafiq used the family company, PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB), to influence heads of departments to secure projects. The company reportedly continued to win tenders from the departments despite other bidders offering lower prices. In addition, investigators allege that Fadia ordered the submission of the Estimated Price (HPS) to PT RNB at the outset; the family company would later adjust its bid to bring it closer to the HPS.

“This violates the procedures in the procurement of goods and services,” the KPK said.

In this case, only Fadia Arafiq has been named as a suspect, and she has been detained for the initial 20 days. The former singer has claimed she did not realise she had committed a crime, citing her background as a dangdut singer.

The KPK states that Fadia Arafiq had previously been warned by the Regional Secretary and other officials to ensure that her family company would win as the regional vendor. The KPK has named Fadia Arafiq as a suspect in a Rp46 billion outsourcing services procurement case, with funds said to have flowed to her husband and child via the family company. The Commission has named Fadia Arafiq the sole suspect in the case and she is detained until 23 March 2026.