Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq Accused of Corruption, Family Firm Allegedly Dominated Procurement
Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq a suspect in an alleged corruption case involving the procurement of goods and services within the Pekalongan Regency Government. Investigations reveal that a company linked to her family, PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB), allegedly dominated tender wins, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and illicit enrichment.
KPK Investigation Uncovers Family Ties to Procurement Dominance
The KPK’s investigation revealed that PT RNB, founded by Fadia Arafiq’s husband and children, secured a disproportionately large number of contracts with the Pekalongan Regency Government. According to KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Asep Guntur Rahayu, PT RNB won tenders across 21 regional work units (SKPD) throughout 2025. Metrotvnews and Kompas reported on the extent of the company’s success in securing government contracts.
Financial Discrepancies and Alleged Fund Distribution
Between 2023 and 2026, PT RNB received a total of IDR 46 billion (approximately $2.8 million USD) from contracts with the Pekalongan Regency Government. DetikNews detailed how these funds were allegedly distributed. Of this amount, IDR 22 billion was allocated for employee salaries, while the remaining IDR 19 billion was reportedly distributed among family members:
- Fadia Arafiq: IDR 5.5 billion
- Fadia’s husband, Ashraff: IDR 1.1 billion
- PT RNB Director Rul Bayatun: IDR 2.3 billion
- Fadia’s son, Sabiq: IDR 4.6 billion
- Fadia’s daughter, Mehnaz Na: IDR 2.5 billion
- Cash withdrawals: IDR 3 billion
Regent’s Explanation and Contradictory Statements
During questioning, Fadia Arafiq reportedly claimed her background as a singer contributed to her lack of understanding of bureaucratic procedures. She stated she delegated technical matters to the Pekalongan Regional Secretary. Yet, Asep Guntur Rahayu countered this claim, noting that Fadia had served as regent for two terms and as deputy regent prior to that, implying she should be well-versed in regional government governance. Merdeka.com reported on these conflicting statements.
Ignoring Warnings About Conflict of Interest
The KPK investigation also revealed that the Regional Secretary and other officials had repeatedly warned Fadia Arafiq about the potential conflict of interest arising from awarding contracts to her family’s company. Despite these warnings, Fadia allegedly insisted on utilizing PT RNB for procurement projects.
Recent Developments and Arrest
The KPK conducted an operation on March 3, 2026, in Semarang, arresting Fadia Arafiq along with her aides and trusted associates. She was subsequently named a suspect in a corruption case related to the procurement of outsourcing services and other goods and services between 2023 and 2026. This marked the KPK’s seventh operation of its kind in 2026. Merdeka.com provided details on the timeline of events.