Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq Accused of Corruption, Family Allegedly Profited Rp19 Billion

Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq (FAR) a suspect in a corruption case involving the procurement of goods and services in Pekalongan Regency. The KPK alleges that Fadia’s family benefited by Rp19 billion (approximately $1.2 million USD) from outsourcing service contracts between 2023, and 2026.

Details of the Allegations

According to the KPK, a total of Rp46 billion (approximately $2.9 million USD) in transactions flowed to PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB) through contracts with various regional government units in Pekalongan Regency. Of this amount, Rp22 billion (approximately $1.4 million USD) was used to pay employee salaries, while the remaining Rp19 billion was allegedly distributed to Fadia Arafiq and her family. Jawawa.id reports.

Financial Breakdown

• Fadia Arafiq: Rp5.5 billion (approximately $350,000 USD)
• Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu (Fadia’s Husband): Rp1.1 billion (approximately $70,000 USD)
• Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff (Fadia’s Son): Rp4.6 billion (approximately $290,000 USD)
• MHN: Rp2.5 billion (approximately $160,000 USD)
• RUL (Director of PT RNB): Rp2.3 billion (approximately $145,000 USD)
• Cash Withdrawal: Rp3 billion (approximately $190,000 USD)

Company Involvement and Suspected Intervention

PT RNB, founded by Fadia Arafiq, her husband Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu (who is similarly a member of the Indonesian DPR), and her son Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff, secured a dominant position in procurement projects within the Pekalongan Regency Government in 2025. The company won projects across 17 regional apparatus, 3 regional hospitals, and 1 sub-district. Detik.com reports.

The KPK suspects that Fadia Arafiq intervened in the procurement process to ensure PT RNB won the outsourcing service auctions. She allegedly instructed service heads to favor her company in procurement within various departments, districts, and regional hospitals. Jawawa.id

Fadia Arafiq’s Defense

During questioning, Fadia Arafiq claimed her background as a musician (a pedangdut, or dangdut singer) led to a lack of understanding of government regulations and procedures. She also stated that she delegated bureaucratic matters to the Pekalongan Regency Secretary, focusing primarily on ceremonial duties. However, the KPK refuted this claim, noting that Fadia Arafiq has served as a regent for two terms and as a vice regent from 2011-2016, implying she should be well-versed in good governance principles. Detik.com

Detention and Legal Charges

Fadia Arafiq is currently being detained at the KPK’s Red and White Building detention center for an initial period of 20 days, from March 4th to March 23rd, 2026. She is accused of violating Article 12 letter i and Article 12 B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001, in conjunction with Article 127 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code. Jawawa.id