Six Things to Know About the KPK Sting on Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) launched a sting operation (OTT) in Pekalongan, Central Java. One of those implicated is Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq.
During the operation, investigators sealed off three rooms, including the Pekalongan Regency Regent’s Office and the Office of the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of the Pekalongan Regency.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Regent’s office did not appear to be sealed. According to detikJateng, on Tuesday March 3, 2026, several offices in the Pekalongan Regency Government Secretariat Building appeared closed. At the entrance there were white and red sheets bearing the inscription ‘DALAM PENGAWASAN KPK’ (UNDER KPK SURVEILLANCE).
The KPK team also sealed the room of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Service of the Lamongan Regency Government. The head of the service’s room suffered the same treatment.
Detikcom summarises six points related to the OTT in Pekalongan:
- OTT in Semarang
The KPK disclosed the location of the arrest of Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq together with her confidant and aide during the OTT. The KPK said they were arrested in Semarang.
“The parties were secured in the Semarang area,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told reporters at the Merah Putih Building of the KPK in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Tuesday March 3, 2026.
Budi explained that the three were arrested on Tuesday (3/3) in the early hours. They were immediately brought to Jakarta for further questioning at the Merah Putih Building of the KPK.
“This morning, the three individuals in question were immediately brought to Jakarta for further examination,” Budi said.
The KPK said Fadia was arrested together with two other individuals, namely a confidant and an aide.
“The team secured a total of three people, one of whom is the Pekalongan Regent and the other two are her confidants and aides,” Budi said.
- Being Questioned at the KPK
Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq was already at the Merah Putih KPK building in South Jakarta, together with her confidant and aide who were included in the Semarang OTT. The three were immediately questioned.
“This morning, the three parties in question were immediately brought to Jakarta for further examination. They arrived at the Merah Putih KPK Building around 10:22 WIB,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told reporters at the Merah Putih building.
Budi said the investigators were still in Pekalongan at the time. The KPK team was simultaneously examining several parties there.
“The team is also currently in Pekalongan to question several parties to obtain the information needed in the handling of this case, i.e., the parties in the various agencies in Pekalongan Regency,” he said.
Additionally, Budi said investigators were still seeking other parties believed to have knowledge of the case under investigation. He urged those sought to cooperate.
“The team is still searching for other relevant parties and we urge those parties to cooperate,” he said.
“So this can help in the handling of the case and ensure the investigative process, which is currently at the pre-trial stage, runs effectively,” he added.
- Central Java Governor: A Learning Moment
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi expressed concern over the arrest of Fadia. He said the incident could serve as a learning moment.
“We are very concerned indeed. But our principle is to respect the investigations conducted by the KPK,” he said at the provincial government offices as quoted by detikjateng on Tuesday March 3, 2026.
“Indirectly, a learning for all of us, as public officials we must be clear and ensure good governance,” he continued.
He said he has already advised regional heads in Central Java to be more careful and not break the law.
“We must create a bureaucracy that is clean, not in breach of the law. That is the most fundamental,” he asserted.
“(Two regents have been arrested by the KPK, what is your reaction?) It depends on the personnel. The clear answer is it goes back to the personnel concerned,” he added.
- About Outsourcing
The KPK said the OTT against Fadia related to procurement of goods and services outsourcing.
“The alleged criminal act in this sting relates to procurement of goods and services (PBJ), including outsourcing PBJ in the Pekalongan Regency government,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo told reporters at the KPK Building, South Jakarta, on Tuesday March 3, 2026.
The KPK has not elaborated the case details yet. He said there are vendors suspected of being arranged to win projects for goods and services procurement.
“There are several procurements indeed carried out in Pekalongan Regency government agencies whose processes are suspected to be arranged or conditioned, allowing certain vendors or companies to enter and win contracts to deliver goods or services in Pekalongan Regency. This includes outsourcing procurement, i.e., staffing and management support within the Pekalongan Regency government and possibly across several agencies,” he said.
- Total 11 People
The KPK secured a total of 11 people in the Pekalongan OTT. Those detained included the Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq and Pekalongan’s Secretary (Sekda) Mohammad Yulian Akbar.
“Of the 11 people detained and brought to the KPK, there are civil servants and private sector individuals. One of them is the Sekda of Pekalongan Regency,” KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said at the KPK building, Jakarta Selatan, on Tuesday March 3, 2026.
In addition to the Sekda, several private-sector individuals were brought in. One of them is from a hospital in Pekalongan.
“Including the parties who organised the procurement of goods and services, i.e., from the agencies. There is also the Sekda, and also someone from a hospital,” he said.
Budi explained the agency would question the 11 people.
“Yes, of course they will be questioned because the statements of each person secured are needed to complete the initial evidence gathered in this closed-phase investigation,” he said.
Budi urged all parties to cooperate.