Sahroni Urges KPK to Probe Fadia Arafiq's Husband and Son: Keep Up the Pressure

Deputy Chairman of Commission III of the DPR, Ahmad Sahroni, has called on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to thoroughly investigate the alleged corruption case involving Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq. He said the KPK should also probe the involvement of Fadia’s husband, Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu (ASH), a member of the DPR for 2024-2029, and her son, Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff (MSA), a member of Pekalongan’s Regional House of Representatives, who have not yet been named as suspects by the KPK.

‘This case is clearly still in its early phase; there will undoubtedly be many developments, new evidence, and additional suspects. Keep pressing ahead with the investigation,’ Sahroni told reporters on Friday (6/3).

According to Sahroni, the KPK must not waver in pursuing the case to its conclusion. He reminded of President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions in fighting corruption and said the administration stands ready to back up law enforcement. ‘President Prabowo has repeatedly instructed a crackdown on corruption, and there is no reason to falter,’ he said.

Doubts about the involvement of Fadia’s son and husband in the case emerged through the companies managed by them. PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB) is the company founded by Fadia’s husband and son, and it is known to have won a majority of Pekalongan Regency department tenders.

According to the KPK, the company was established a year after Fadia became regent for the 2021-2025 period. Fadia has been charged by the KPK as a regional head and also a Beneficial Owner (BO) of PT RNB.

Meanwhile, Fadia’s husband, Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu (ASH), and his son Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff (MSA) have not yet been named suspects by the KPK. In a press conference on Wednesday (4/3) afternoon, the KPK explained the reasons for not naming Mukhtaruddin and Sabiq as suspects despite possessing evidence of money received in relation to the alleged outsourcing services procurement and other procurement cases for the 2023-2026 fiscal year.

‘The party who has a conflict of interest is Ms. FAR [Fadia Arafiq] because she is the head of the region there. She has an obligation to supervise or control all procurement activities within her jurisdiction, Pekalongan. In football terms, the referee should not be playing,’ said KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu at the press conference.

The case was unveiled by the KPK through an Arrest Operation (OTT) on Tuesday (3/3) early morning, and Fadia has been named a suspect.