Bobby's Quip Before Langkat Regent's KPK Arrest: Ondim, On the Money Upfront

The Regent of Langkat, Syah Afandin, alias Ondim, was caught in a sting operation (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in North Sumatra on Thursday (2/7). He is suspected of receiving bribes related to projects within the Langkat Education Office and the Langkat Housing and Settlement Office.

Ondim was not alone; at least six individuals were detained by the KPK during operations across several cities in North Sumatra. They have since been taken to the KPK headquarters in Jakarta for further interrogation.

Several weeks prior to the sting, Ondim’s name became the subject of a joke by North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution during the inauguration of the PAN party officials for the 2024-2029 period. This occurred at an event held at the IKM Hall Deli Husada, Deli Serdang, on Sunday (14/6), approximately two weeks before the KPK operation. The event was also attended by the General Chairman of PAN, Zulkifli Hasan.

During the ceremony, Syah Afandin was inaugurated as the Chairman of the PAN North Sumatra Regional Leadership Council (DPW), accompanied by Dedy Irawan as Secretary and Mora Harap as Treasurer. Several regional officials from various regencies and cities were also inaugurated simultaneously.

In his speech, Bobby teased the attending PAN cadres by asking for the meaning of the nickname ‘Ondim’. “Do you know? Do you? For those who don’t know, On-Dim is an abbreviation for ‘Ongkos Di Muka’ (Upfront Costs),” Bobby said, which was met with laughter from the cadres, according to video footage from the event shared on Instagram.

At the time, Bobby continued his jest by suggesting that the newly inaugurated regional officials should be asked if the term ‘Ondim’ also applies to the election processes in their respective districts. “So, the ones standing in front here with the Chairman, Zulkifli Hasan, the ones inaugurated alongside Bang On-Dim, we need to ask them one by one. Does the ‘On-Dim’ name apply when you were trying to become regency/city chairmen?” said the Gerindra politician.

Bobby concluded his joke by praising the scale of the inauguration, noting it was larger than previous events. “Extraordinary, Bang On-Dim. We thought the event was in Deli Serdang, at the old location. If it were at the old places, we would say, ‘Bang On-Dim, not there. That is too small’,” remarked the son-in-law of Indonesia’s seventh President, Joko Widodo.

There has been no official statement from the North Sumatra Provincial Government regarding the administration of Langkat following the Regent’s arrest. Meanwhile, the PAN central leadership has deactivated Ondim from his position as Chairman of the PAN North Sumatra DPW.

“PAN has deactivated Syah Afandin as the Chairman of the PAN North Sumatra DPW, and the leadership of PAN North Sumatra has been taken over by the central leadership,” said PAN Vice Chairman Viva Yoga Mauladi when confirmed on Friday (3/7).

He emphasised that the legal violation is a personal responsibility as it contradicts PAN’s platform and struggle lines regarding the establishment of clean governance. “PAN apologises for the legal violation by its member. PAN will continue to provide character building and increase the capacity of its members in performing their duties,” he added.

In the silent operation conducted by the KPK in North Sumatra, Syah Afandin is suspected of involvement in bribery related to projects in the Langkat Regency Education Office and the Langting Regency Housing and Settlement Office. The KPK is currently deepening its investigation and questioning several of those detained.