4 Facts About the Langkat Regent's Detention by KPK in Project Bribery Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim, a suspect following a sting operation related to project bribery. Syah Afandin was immediately detained by the KPK. The suspect designation is linked to a bribery case involving projects at the Langkat Education Office and the Housing and Settlement Office.

In this alleged bribery case, the KPK has named two suspects: Langkat Regent Syah Afandin and Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif, a member of Afandin’s 2024 election campaign team.

Here are the facts related to the project bribery case:

1. Demanded Project Fees

Acting Director of KPK Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein stated at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday (3/7/2026) that private party and campaign team member Yaqub Abdhal secured work packages at the Langkat Education Office and the Housing Office through a Direct Procurement method. The details included 80 work packages totalling Rp 9.5 billion at the Education Office and 5 work packages worth Rp 748 million at the Housing Office. “Syah Afandin, as the Regent of Langkat for the 2025-2030 period, requested a 10% fee from the Education Office projects and a 17% fee from the Housing Office projects,” Taufik said. The agreed fee amounted to Rp 990 million for the Education Office projects and Rp 126.8 million for the Housing Office projects. By 5 April 2026, Yaqub had handed over a total of Rp 800 million to Syah. At the end of June 2026, Syah again asked Yaqub for Rp 300 million as part of the fee commitment. However, on 1 July 2026, Yaqub stated he could only provide Rp 100 million.

2. KPK Sting Operation on Syah

The sting operation began when KPK investigators detected communication between Syah and Yaqub on Wednesday (1/7). At 9 p.m. WIB, they planned to meet after an Association of Indonesian Regency Governments (APKASI) event. “However, around 11 p.m., Zulkifli, Syah Afandin’s driver, contacted Yaqub to ask him to turn back, as Syah had already left the event but became aware that the KPK team was in Langkat Regency. Apparently, the team’s arrival was being monitored by Syah,” Achmad said. On Thursday (2/7), Yaqub was contacted again by Syah Afandin through his close associate Syahrial. In the communication, Syah Afandin requested that Yaqub hand over the Rp 100 million bribe money through Syahrial. “Syahrial conveyed that the situation was heating up, so the agreed handover of the Rp 100 million was requested by Syah to be given through Syahrial,” he said. Yaqub and Syahrial then arranged to meet in Medan the following day. “Around 8 a.m., Yaqub and Syahrial met at a café in Medan to hand over the agreed Rp 100 million for Syah,” Achmad stated. The KPK team then intercepted Syahrial, who was travelling towards Binjai City after receiving the Rp 100 million. The KPK found the money inside the car. “When Syahrial was on his way to Binjai City, meaning the handover of the Rp 100 million had been completed, the KPK team in the field managed to secure the Rp 100 million found under the car seat Syahrial was travelling in,” he said.

3. Foreign Currency and Platinum Bullion

The KPK secured a number of pieces of evidence related to this case. Firstly, the KPK seized 55 pieces of platinum bullion with a total weight of approximately 55 kg from Syah Afandin’s car. Taufik stated this evidence would be checked for authenticity by an expert. Additionally, cash amounting to Rp 100 million was seized. “Cash totalling Rp 100 million was seized from Syah Afandin. Cash in foreign currency totalling Rp 1.22 billion, with details of SGD 66,950, RM 11,518, and Rp 244.7 million,” he continued. The KPK also seized two bank accounts under Syah Afandin’s name with a total value of Rp 2.27 billion, along with electronic evidence and several other documents.

4. Gratuities of Rp 3.5 Billion

Syah apparently did not only receive bribes. He also received gratuities worth Rp 3.5 billion. “The KPK also found evidence of other alleged receipts or gratuities by Syah totalling at least Rp 3.5 billion, among others allegedly related to the transfer and filling of positions within the Education Office and sub-district heads in Langkat Regency,” Taufik said. Apart from positions within the Langkat Regency government, the alleged gratuities were also related to the appointment of primary and junior high school principals. The KPK stated that Syah engaged in the buying and selling of school principal positions. “When the position of school principal is traded, what is at stake is not only governance but also the future of children’s education,” Taufik said. Furthermore, Syah was also said to have ‘played’ with the procurement of primary school uniforms. The KPK stated that school procurement was also corrupted. “When many students need school uniforms, the procurement process does not escape becoming a pocket of corruption,” Taufik said.