KPK Explains Why Ex-Campaigner for Langkat Regent Was Detained in Medan

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has explained the reason for placing the former campaign official for the Regent of Langkat, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif, in the Medan Police Detention Centre, North Sumatra, citing limited flight availability to Jakarta.

The Acting Director of Investigations at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, stated at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Friday night that Yaqub, who represents the private sector, was not immediately brought to Jakarta due to technical constraints.

“There was a private party who was not brought along. This was indeed due to constraints,” said Taufik.

“When we intended to bring them, there was a shortage of flight tickets, so only state officials could be transported because of the limited availability of tickets from the region to Jakarta,” he added.

According to Taufik, the team that apprehended Yaqub was located outside of Medan city, making it difficult to secure onward flights to Jakarta.

“Traveling to Jakarta from Medan itself likely posed no problem, but from the outlying areas to Jakarta, it appeared to be fully booked,” he said.

Previously, the KPK conducted a sting operation (OTT) in Langkat, Binjai, and Medan, North Sumatra, on 2 July 2026. During the operation, investigators arrested the Regent of Langkat, Syah Afandin, a civil servant in the Langkat Regency, along with five individuals from the private sector.

On 3 July 2006, the KPK named Syah Afandin and Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif as suspects in an alleged bribery case involving projects within the Langkat Regency Government for the 2025-2026 period.

In addition to the bribery allegations, the KPK suspects that Syah Afandin received gratifications amounting to up to Rp3.5 billion, related to the appointment of sub-district heads, positions within the Langkat Regency Education Office, the appointment of primary and junior high school principals, and the procurement of primary school uniforms.