Three Regional Heads Arrested in KPK Operation During Ramadan
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has conducted another arrest operation (OTT) against regional leaders. During the month of Ramadan, three regional heads were caught in the operation.
As compiled by detikcom on Saturday (14/3/2026), the three regional heads were secured in separate operations conducted by the KPK across several regions. This enforcement action further adds to the growing list of regional heads entangled in alleged corruption cases since taking office in 2025.
The following is a list of regional heads arrested in the KPK operation during Ramadan:
- Regent of Pekalongan Fadia Arafiq
Regent of Pekalongan Fadia Arafiq was arrested by the KPK in the early hours of Tuesday (3/3). After being arrested, Fadia, who was in Semarang at the time, was immediately taken to Jakarta for questioning.
Fadia was arrested along with two others, namely his trusted aide and adjutant. The KPK stated that the arrest of Fadia was related to the procurement of goods and outsourcing services.
“The alleged criminal act of corruption in this arrest operation is related to goods and services procurement (PBJ), one of which concerns outsourcing procurement within the Pekalongan Regency Government,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists at KPK Headquarters, South Jakarta, Tuesday (3/3).
Fadia Arafiq denied that he was arrested in an operation. Fadia recounted the moment he was apprehended by KPK investigators in an alleged project procurement corruption case. Fadia said he was picked up by the KPK while charging his electric vehicle.
“I was sitting at the electric car charging station with my child, my daughter, and the older one at home. Together with the head of economics and my adjutant around 12 o’clock at night. I, at that time, suddenly the KPK came and asked, ‘Can we coordinate?’, I said yes, so I just went along,” Fadia told journalists at the Red and White building of the KPK, Kuningan, South Jakarta, Friday (13/3).
Fadia claimed that at that time there was no transactional activity he undertook, so according to him, there was no such thing as an arrest operation (OTT) in his case.
- Regent of Rejang Lebong Muhammad Fikri Thobari
Regent of Rejang Lebong Muhammad Fikri Thobari was arrested by the KPK on Monday evening (9/3). The arrest of Fikri Thobari and his deputy, Hendri Praja, was related to alleged project bribery within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government. A total of 13 people were detained and questioned at the local police station.
“In this arrest operation, it is alleged to be related to project bribery within the Rejang Lebong Regency Government,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to journalists at KPK Headquarters, South Jakarta, Tuesday (10/3).
Of the 13 detained, only nine were brought to Jakarta for intensive questioning, including Regent Fikri and his deputy, Hendri. Of the nine brought to Jakarta, five were eventually designated as suspects by investigators.
The KPK revealed that Fikri and his deputy frequently employed a modus operandi of requesting project fees from contractors who won bids in projects in Rejang Lebong Regency.
“In intensive questioning, the KPK also discovered alleged other receipts received by MFT through HEP from various parties using the modus operandi of requesting project fees from several contractors totalling Rp 775 million. Therefore, this action is alleged to be a recurring matter,” explained Asep during a press conference at KPK Headquarters, South Jakarta, Wednesday (11/3).
In the current case being investigated by the KPK, Fikri is alleged to have received additional bribes totalling Rp 980 million. Thus, if the total from the findings of other recipients is combined, the amount obtained by Fikri reached Rp 1.7 billion from several projects.
Asep revealed that in this case, Regent Fikri requested fees or project advances from three contractors who won bids during the project auction at the Department of Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Areas (PUPRPKP) with amounts between 10 to 15 per cent. As a result, from this request for project advances, Regent Fikri obtained money of up to Rp 980 million.
- Regent of Cilacap Syamsul Auliya Rachman
Regent of Cilacap Syamsul Auliya Rachman was arrested by the KPK on Friday (13/3). A total of 27 people were detained in the operation, consisting of both state and private sector officials.
The KPK explained that there is an alleged receipt of bribes by the Regent of Syamsul from several projects in Cilacap. The KPK seized evidence related to the case.
“There is an alleged receipt conducted by the Regent’s office related to projects in Cilacap Regency,” said Budi, Friday (13/3).
At present, Syamsul Aulia has arrived in Jakarta. Syamsul Aulia was arrested along with Cilacap Regional Secretary Sadmoko Danardono.
The KPK has 1x24 hours to determine the legal status of those arrested in the operation. Currently, those arrested remain as persons being questioned.