Profile of Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq: Golkar Politician Caught in KPK Sting Operation

The Indonesian Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) has once again conducted a sting operation (OTT). This time it was carried out in Pekalongan Regency, Central Java, ensnaring Regent Fadia Arafiq.

“Confirmed, in this closed investigation activity, the team secured a number of individuals in the Pekalongan region, Central Java, one of whom is the regent,” said KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo when contacted on Tuesday, 3 March morning.

Fadia Arafiq was born on 23 May 1978 with the original name Laila Fathiah. Her husband, Ashraff Abu, is a member of the People’s Consultative Assembly for the 2024-2029 term serving on Commission X. Fadia and her husband are both members of the Golkar party.

Fadia completed her primary and secondary education in Jakarta, attending Karet Tengsin 14 Public Primary School in Tanah Abang, Tanah Abang Public Junior High School 8, and Ciracas Public Senior High School 58.

She then pursued a bachelor’s degree in management from AKI University Semarang, graduating in 2013. She obtained a master’s degree in management from Stikubank University Semarang in 2015, before pursuing a doctorate at August 17, 1945 University.

Fadia began her political career as Deputy Regent of Pekalongan from 2011 to 2016, paired with Amat Antono as Regent. From 2016 to 2021, she served as Chair of the Golkar Party Regional Leadership in Pekalongan Regency and also as Chair of the Indonesian Youth National Committee (KNPI) for Central Java.

She subsequently ran for office and successfully became Regent of Pekalongan in 2021, winning re-election as the incumbent in the following election, mandating her to serve two consecutive terms until 2030.

Fadia is the sister of Fahd El Fouz, also known as Fahd A Rafiq, a Golkar politician who was sentenced to four years in prison in 2017 after being convicted of receiving bribes amounting to 3.411 billion rupiah related to a Quran printing case (2011-2012) and computer laboratory procurement for the Ministry of Religious Affairs Islamic Junior High School.

Fadia and Fahd are also children of dangdut singer and descendant of senior Indonesian dangdut artist A. Rafiq.