KPK jerat bupati Pekalongan jadi tersangka korupsi bermodus ‘Perusahaan Ibu’

The Pekalongan Regent, Fadia Arafiq, has been officially named a corruption suspect by Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). This designation follows her apprehension in a sting operation (OTT). “We have named one individual as a suspect, namely Ms. FAR, who serves as the Pekalongan Regent for the 2025-2030 term,” stated Asep Guntur Rahayu, Deputy for Enforcement and Execution at the KPK, during a press conference on Wednesday (March 4).

Asep elaborated that the case originated in 2022, merely a year into Fadia’s first term as Pekalongan Regent. During this period, Fadia established a company named PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (RNB). She founded this company in collaboration with her husband, Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu, who is also a Member of Parliament (DPR), and her son, Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff, a Member of the Pekalongan Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

PT RNB operated in the service provision sector, actively engaging in various procurement of goods and services (PBJ) activities within the Pekalongan Regency Government. Within this corporate structure, Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu served as Commissioner, Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff as Director, while Fadia Arafiq was identified as the beneficial owner. Subsequently, Fadia replaced Sabiq with her trusted associate, Rul Bayatun. Asep further revealed, “Significantly, most of PT RNB’s employees were part of the Regent’s campaign team, assigned to work across several regional agencies within the Pekalongan Regency Government.”

After just one year of operation, PT RNB secured numerous outsourcing service procurement projects from various regional agencies under the Pekalongan Regency Government. It is alleged that these projects were awarded to PT RNB due to direct intervention from Fadia Arafiq and Sabiq, who reportedly pressured several department heads. “Even when other companies submitted lower bids, regional agencies were reportedly compelled to award contracts to ‘the Mother’s Company’,” Asep disclosed, highlighting the coercive nature of the procurement process.

This alleged misconduct, Asep continued, “consequently carried the potential to incur state financial losses.” Furthermore, Asep explained that every regional agency undertaking procurement was reportedly instructed to provide their Owner’s Estimate Price (HPS) to PT RNB. This allowed PT RNB to submit bids closely mirroring the HPS figures, a practice Asep firmly stated, “violates established procedures in the procurement of goods and services process.”

Throughout 2025, PT RNB allegedly achieved a near-monopoly on outsourcing procurement within the Pekalongan Regency Government, securing contracts with 17 regional agencies, 3 public hospitals (RSUD), and 1 sub-district office. Asep also disclosed that between 2023 and 2026, transactions totaling Rp 46 billion flowed into PT RNB, all originating from contracts with various Pekalongan Regency Government regional agencies.

Out of these substantial funds, the KPK revealed that only Rp 22 billion was used for the payment of outsourcing employee salaries. The remaining balance, a staggering Rp 19 billion—approximately 40% of the total transactions—was allegedly enjoyed and distributed among the Regent’s family members.

For these alleged actions, Fadia Arafiq has been charged under Article 12 letter i and Article 12B of the Anti-Corruption Law (UU Tipikor), in conjunction with Article 127 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code (KUHP). Immediately after being named a suspect, Fadia was detained at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building Detention Center for an initial period of 20 days.

Article 12 letter i stipulates: “Any civil servant or state official who, either directly or indirectly, knowingly participates in contracting, procurement, or leasing activities, which at the time of the act, was fully or partially assigned to manage or supervise, shall be sentenced to life imprisonment or a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, and a fine of at least Rp 200,000,000 and a maximum of Rp 1,000,000,000.” This article directly targets officials involved in manipulating public contracts.

Meanwhile, Article 12 letter B defines: “Any gratification given to a civil servant or state official shall be considered a bribe if it is related to their position and is contrary to their duties or obligations.” This provision addresses benefits received inappropriately by officials.

Pekalongan Regent’s Statement

Despite the KPK’s claims, Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq vehemently denied being caught in a sting operation (OTT). She asserted that no evidence was seized from her, nor was her home raided during the arrest. “I was not subjected to an OTT; no items were taken from me, and they did not raid my house during the arrest,” Fadia stated as she was escorted to a detention vehicle at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (March 4).

Fadia further claimed that at the time of her arrest, she was with Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi. “I was with the Governor of Central Java. So, there was no OTT whatsoever; not even a rupiah’s worth of items, I swear to God, there was nothing,” she insisted. While the KPK links this case to the procurement of goods and services (PBJ), including the outsourcing of support staff in various departments, Fadia explicitly denied any involvement in these alleged wrongdoings.

“No, I was not involved. That’s not mine; I never participated. It’s a family company, not mine,” she clarified, attempting to distance herself from PT RNB and its operations.

Fadia concluded by stating her intention to discuss potential legal recourse with her lawyers. She added, “Hopefully, everything… whoever is evil will be repaid by Allah.”