Why the KPK Has Not Yet Snared the Pekalongan Regent's Husband and Son
The Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has formally named Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq as a suspect in a case of alleged corruption related to outsourcing services procurement and other procurements in the 2023-2026 budget years. She has been charged in connection with outsourcing procurement that secured the majority of tenders at the Pekalongan Regency government. The outsourcing company, PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB), was founded by Fadia’s husband and child after she had been in office for a year in her 2021-2025 term. Fadia is charged as the regional head and also as Beneficial Owner (BO) of RNB.
Meanwhile, Fadia’s husband, Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu (ASH), who is a member of the 2024-2029 DPR RI, and their son Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff (MSA), a Pekalongan DPRD member, have not been named suspects by the KPK.
In a press conference on Wednesday (4 March) afternoon, the KPK disclosed the reason for not naming Mukhtaruddin and Sabiq as suspects even though there is evidence regarding receipt of money related to outsourcing procurement and other procurements in 2023-2026.
‘The person with a conflict of interest is FAR [Fadia Arafiq] because she is the head of the area. She is obliged to supervise or control all procurement activities within her jurisdiction, Pekalongan. In football terms, the referee should not play,’ said Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Prosecution, during the press conference.
The case was uncovered by KPK through a Hand Arrest Operation (OTT) on Tuesday (3 March) early morning. After arresting several parties, KPK had a 1x24 hour deadline to determine the legal status of those arrested.
Based on two pieces of sufficient evidence, KPK applied Article 12 letter i of the Corruption Eradication Act (UU Tipikor) by naming Fadia as the sole suspect. Asep stressed that in every investigative process, investigators will always be open to developing the case. ‘Of course the charges and the sufficiency of evidence determine who should be named as suspects, but it does not mean this ends here. After investigation continues, we will see whether there is enough further evidence for other people. We will name them accordingly when the evidence is sufficient, especially since they may not have authority there,’ he said.
Found a company after being inaugurated as regent
The KPK said that a year after Fadia was inaugurated as Pekalongan Regent for the 2021-2025 period and then re-elected for the next five years, Mukhtaruddin, the husband of Fadia and also a DPR RI member for 2024-2029, along with Sabiq, the couple’s son and a Pekalongan DPRD member, established a company named PT RNB. The company operates in the field of service provision and actively acts as a vendor in goods and service procurements within the Pekalongan Regency government.
Mukhtaruddin became Commissioner of PT RNB, while Sabiq served as Director for the period 2022-2024. In 2024, Fadia replaced Sabiq as Director of PT RNB with Rul Bayatun (RUL). RUL is an employee and trusted associate of Fadia.
Meanwhile, Fadia, the regent, is named as Beneficial Owner (BO) of PT RNB. Most of PT RNB’s employees are campaign staff for the regent tasked to work in several Pekalongan Regency government agencies.
Rp19 billion enjoyed by Fadia and her husband’s family
During 2025, PT RNB dominated procurement projects in the Pekalongan Regency government, undertaking outsourcing services in 17 regional apparatuses (PD), 3 RSUD hospitals, and 1 district. For the period 2023-2026, there were transactions into PT RNB amounting to Rp46 billion sourced from contracts between PT RNB and Pekalongan Regency PD. The funds were used to pay outsourcing staff salaries amounting to Rp22 billion. The remainder was enjoyed and distributed to Fadia’s family totalling Rp19 billion or about 40 percent of the total transactions.
Details show Fadia received Rp5.5 billion; ASH received Rp1.1 billion; RUL received Rp2.3 billion; MSA received Rp4.6 billion; MHN (Mehnaz Na, also Fadia’s daughter) received Rp2.5 billion, and cash withdrawals of Rp3 billion.
For her actions, Fadia is now detained at the KPK Detention House, Gedung Merah Putih branch, for the first 20 days up to 23 March 2026.