Sosok Ashraff Abu, Pedangdut dan politisi, suami Fadia Arafiq yang disebut nikmati uang korupsi

News Summary:

• The corruption case involving Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq has implicated her husband, Ashraff Abu, also known as Ashraff Khan.
• Ashraff is a well-known figure in the Indonesian dangdut music scene.
• His career flourished as a dangdut singer before he transitioned into politics.

Teknowarta JAKARTA – The name Ashraff Abu, also known as Ashraff Khan, has been swept into the alleged corruption scandal involving his wife, Pekalongan Regent Fadia Arafiq. The man, who currently serves as a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the Golkar Party faction, is reportedly among those who benefited from illicit funds in the case targeting Fadia Arafiq (FAR), the Regent of Pekalongan for the 2021–2026 and 2025–2030 periods.

Fadia Arafiq herself has been named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in connection with alleged criminal acts of corruption. This high-profile case is centered around the procurement of outsourcing services and various other projects within the Pekalongan Regency Government for the 2023–2026 fiscal years.

Ashraff Abu: From Dangdut Stardom to Political Influence

Ashraff Abu, Fadia Arafiq’s husband, is certainly not a new face in the public eye. More recently, he has been recognized as a constant presence, accompanying Fadia throughout her political endeavors. However, his public journey began much earlier.

His real name is Ashraff Khan. Prior to his foray into politics, the dangdut stage was his familiar domain, much like Fadia, who also started as a dangdut singer. Ashraff Abu was a popular dangdut artist in the 1990s, achieving significant fame. His career soared when his song titled “Sharmila” became a massive hit across Indonesia. Despite his Indian heritage, Ashraff has long resided and built his career in the country, eventually falling in love with and marrying fellow dangdut singer Fadia Arafiq, the daughter of dangdut legend A. Rafiq. From their marriage, Fadia A. Rafiq and Ashraff Abu have been blessed with six children.

A Striking Political Career

Beyond the dangdut stage, Ashraff Abu has carved out a rather impressive political career. In the 2024 General Election, he successfully secured a seat as a member of the DPR RI, representing the Central Java X electoral district (Pekalongan, Pemalang, Batang) under the Golkar Party banner. In Senayan, he is assigned to Commission X, which oversees education, sports, and history.

Throughout his wife’s tenure as Regent, Ashraff was known for his active involvement in various strategic, albeit non-formal, capacities. He held the position of Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (PBFI).

Ashraff Abu’s Alleged Involvement in Corruption Masquerading as Family Business

Fadia Arafiq’s designation as a corruption suspect stems from a series of sting operations (OTT) conducted by the KPK team in Pekalongan, Semarang, and Jakarta between March 2 and 3, 2026, which ultimately led to the apprehension of 14 individuals. “Based on sufficient evidence in the alleged corruption related to the procurement of outsourcing services and other procurements within the Pekalongan Regency Government for the 2023–2026 fiscal years, the KPK has elevated this case to the investigation stage, naming one person as a suspect, namely Ms. FAR as the Regent of Pekalongan,” stated Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, during a press conference at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in South Jakarta.

This scheme of illicit enrichment was allegedly operated like a family business, with profits reportedly flowing generously into the private coffers of the regent, her husband, and even their children. Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Asep Guntur Rahayu, elaborated on the case’s construction during a press conference on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The KPK discovered that Fadia Arafiq was the true beneficial owner of PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (PT RNB), a service provider company deliberately established in 2022 by her husband and children to monopolize projects within the Pekalongan Regency Government.

“Throughout 2023 to 2026, transactions totaling Rp46 billion flowed into PT RNB, originating from contracts with regional agencies in the Pekalongan Regency Government. However, only Rp22 billion was used for outsourcing employee salaries. The remaining funds, amounting to Rp19 billion or approximately 40 percent of the total transactions, were allegedly enjoyed and distributed among the regent’s family,” Asep Guntur Rahayu revealed.

Based on the KPK’s findings, the breakdown of the alleged corruption funds enjoyed by Fadia Arafiq and her family is as follows:

1. Fadia Arafiq (Pekalongan Regent): Allegedly received Rp5.5 billion.
2. Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu (Husband of the Regent): Allegedly received Rp1.1 billion. Ashraff currently serves as a member of the DPR RI for the 2024–2029 period from the Golkar Party faction, assigned to Commission X. At PT RNB, he held the position of commissioner.
3. Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff (Son of the Regent): Allegedly received Rp4.6 billion. Sabiq is a member of the Pekalongan Regency DPRD from the Golkar Party faction (Electoral District V) and previously served as Director of PT RNB for the 2022–2024 period.
4. Mehnaz NA (Daughter of the Regent): Allegedly received Rp2.5 billion.
5. Rul Bayatun (Director of PT RNB 2024–present / Trusted person of the Regent): Allegedly received Rp2.3 billion.
6. Other Cash Withdrawals: Amounting to Rp3 billion.

(Tribunnews.com/Anita K Wardhani/Ilham Rian/Chaerul Umam) (TribunSumsel.com/Aggi Suzatri)