KPK has the opportunity to develop the Fadia Arafiq case, looking for alleged gratification

KPK spokesperson, Budi Prasetyo/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has the opportunity to develop corruption allegations that ensnared the non-active Regent of Pekalongan Fadia Arafiq.

Investigators are looking for other parties who are suspected of playing a role and even receiving gratification related to the procurement of outsourcing services in the Pekalongan Regency Government environment.

"Investigators will continue to trace other parties who have a crucial role in the process or conditioning the procurement of goods and services, especially in relation to the filling of outsourcing employees in a number of services in the Pekalongan Regency Government," said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo to reporters at the KPK Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Friday, May 29.

"Including the alleged Article 12 B," he continued.

Even so, Budi could not specify the party suspected of receiving this gratification. Because, the investigation and search are still being carried out.

"This will still be investigated, investigated in relation to other receipts," said Budi.

As previously reported, the KPK named the Regent of Pekalongan Fadia Arafiq as a suspect for allegedly arranging PT Raja Nusantara Berjaya (PT RNB) to monopoli outsourcing service projects in 17 regional devices, 3 RSUD, and 1 sub-district in Pekalongan Regency. He was caught in a hand-in-hand operation (OTT) on Tuesday, March 3.

PT RNB itself is known to have been founded by Fadia's husband and son, whose leadership was then handed over to his trusted employees.

In this case, the KPK suspects that the local government was forced to win PT RNB or the so-called "Parent Company". In fact, at the same time there were other vendors offering lower prices.

Throughout 2023 to 2026, there were transactions into PT RNB worth Rp. 46 billion sourced from contracts with regional devices in the Pekalongan Regency Government. Of that amount, Rp. 22 billion was used to pay the salaries of outsourcing employees.

Meanwhile, the rest or about 40 percent flowed into the pockets of Fadia, her husband and her children. Here are the details:

1. Fadia Arafiq as the Regent of Pekalongan enjoyed Rp5.5 billion;

2. Mukhtaruddin Ashraff Abu who is Fadia's husband enjoys Rp1.1 billion. Ashraff is a member of the Golkar Party Faction in the House of Representatives and serves as a commissioner at PT RNB;

3. Muhammad Sabiq Ashraff as the regent's son enjoyed Rp. 4.6 billion. Sabiq is a member of the Pekalongan Regency DPRD from the Golkar Party Faction (Dapil V). He also served as Director of PT RNB for the period 2022-2024;

4. Mehnaz NA as the regent's son enjoyed Rp2.5 billion;

5. Rul Bayatun as Director of PT RNB 2024–now/Person of Trust of the Regent: Enjoying Rp2.3 billion; and

6. Other cash withdrawals of IDR 3 billion.

In this case, Fadia is suspected of violating Article 12 letter i and Article 12 B of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 127 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code regarding conflicts of interest and abuse of authority in the procurement of goods and services.