Wamendagri's dig at Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq who claims not to understand the rules

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya criticised Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq’s statement that she did not understand the rules because of her background as a dangdut singer. He stressed that a regional head, as the top leader in the region, should be learning. For awareness, the KPK has named Fadia Arafiq a suspect in a case of alleged corruption for taking part in procurement projects in Pekalongan Regency. To the KPK, Fadia argued that her background as a dangdut musician made her unaware of the rules. “During the intensive examination, FAR explained that she had a background as a musician, she is not a bureaucrat. This is what FAR conveyed; accordingly, FAR does not understand the law and local governance.” Deputy Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, said at a press conference at the KPK building, Jalan Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (4 March 2026). Asep said that Fadia also claimed bureaucratic matters were handed over to the Pekalongan Secretary. Meanwhile, Fadia said she spent more time handling ceremonial functions. “FAR claimed that technical bureaucratic matters are delegated to the secretary, while she runs ceremonial functions in Pekalongan Regency.” But, according to Asep, Fadia’s statements contradicted the actual situation. He said FAR is not a newcomer to the role of regent, having served as regent for two terms and once as Deputy Regent from 2011-2016. Therefore, she should understand the principles of good governance in regional government, he said. Wamendagri The deputy minister, Bima Arya, said that the regional head, as the highest leader of the bureaucracy in the region, should learn. He added that the head of a region should not only master, but also control and be fully responsible for the bureaucratic affairs in the region. “The regional head is the top leader of the regional bureaucracy, not only must they master it but also must supervise and be fully responsible,” Bima Arya told reporters on Thursday (5 March 2026). He stressed that this responsibility should be understood from the start when someone decides to run for regional head. In particular, for those without a governance background, he said, “If your background is not political governance, then learn quickly.” “You cannot delegate everything to the secretary-general. Because the secretary-general executes orders to coordinate policy as the most senior bureaucrat,” he added. Bima said that Mendagri Tito Karnavian has appointed Pekalongan’s Vice Regent Sukirman as acting regent. He said the instruction had been conveyed by the minister to the Governor of Central Java. “Yesterday, the Mendagri sent a radiogram to the Governor of Central Java appointing the Vice Regent as acting regent to run the administration in Pekalongan Regency,” he explained. Furthermore, Bima also touched on the legal action pursued against several regional heads implicated in corruption cases. He emphasised that law enforcement agencies will act without fear or favour. “Eight regional heads caught up in these cases come from different parties. This means law enforcement does not show favouritism toward regional heads who commit corruption, there is no protection and no privilege; everyone must avoid corrupt practices,” he said. For the record, Fadia previously served as Pekalongan’s Vice Regent from 2011-2016. She later became Pekalongan Regent in 2021. Fadia was re-elected in the 2024 local elections and was sworn in as Pekalongan Regent for the 2025-2030 term. In this case, the KPK suspects that Fadia was the beneficiary owner of PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB), which secured many outsourcing service procurement projects in the Pekalongan Regency government. The KPK says the company was founded by her husband and child. The KPK states PT RNB obtained outsourcing projects in 17 regional work units, three regional hospitals and one district in 2025. Asep said PT RNB received Rp 46 billion from contracts with Pekalongan Regency from 2023-2026. “From that money, only Rp 22 billion was used to pay outsourcing employees’ salaries. The remainder, totaling Rp 19 billion, was enjoyed and distributed to the regent’s family,” Asep stated. The details are as follows: - Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq Rp 5.5 billion; - Fadia’s husband, Ashraff, Rp 1.1 billion; - PT RNB director Rul Bayatun, Rp 2.3 billion; - Fadia’s daughter Sabiq, Rp 4.6 billion; - Fadia’s daughter Mehnaz Na, Rp 2.5 billion; - cash withdrawals of Rp 3 billion. Nevertheless, other names are still listed as witnesses. The KPK has only named Fadia as a suspect. She faces charges under Article 12(i) and Article 12B of the Corruption Eradication Act read with Article 127(1) of Indonesian Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Penal Code.