Back-to-Back Sting Operations in Langkat: KPK Highlights 'Regeneration' of Corrupt Actors

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has lamented the back-to-back sting operations (OTT) that have now caught two consecutive regents of Langkat, likening the situation to a ‘regeneration of corruptors’ following the latest arrest of Regent Syah Afandin. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo explained that in 2022, the KPK conducted an OTT on the previous Langkat Regent, Terbit Rencana Perangin Angin. Syah was Terbit’s successor. ‘Ironically, SAF was the Deputy Regent at that time, then became Acting Regent, and was elected Regent for the 2025-2030 period. This latest hand-arrest operation thus appears to be a back-to-back corruption practice,’ Budi stated during a press conference at the KPK on Friday (4/7/2026). ‘It is even like a regeneration of corrupt actors in Langkat Regency,’ he added. The KPK reminded Syah’s eventual replacement to uphold the people’s trust and ensure such corrupt practices do not recur. ‘The re-entanglement of this Langkat Regent also serves as a stern warning for all local government ranks,’ he noted. In the bribery case implicating Syah, the KPK has named two suspects: Langkat Regent Syah Afandin and his 2024 election campaign team member, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif. Yaqub Abdhal, a private sector actor, secured project work packages in the Langkat Education Agency and the Langkat Housing and Settlement Agency through a Direct Procurement method. The details include 80 work packages totalling Rp 9.5 billion at the Education Agency and 5 work packages worth Rp 748 million at the Housing and Settlement Agency. ‘Syah Afandin, as Regent of Langkat for the 2025-2030 period, requested a 10 per cent fee from the Education Agency projects and 17 per cent from the Housing and Settlement Agency projects given to YQB,’ said Acting Director of KPK Investigations Achmad Taufik Husein. Since 2025, Syah has received Rp 800 million in bribe money. Syah was caught in the KPK OTT along with six other individuals. During the operation, the KPK secured a number of pieces of evidence, including 55 platinum bars with a total weight of approximately 55 kg found in Syah’s car.