KPK Names Langkat Regent and Former Campaigner as Bribery Suspects
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Langkat Regent Syah Afandin (SAF) and his former campaign team member, identified as YQB, as suspects in an alleged bribery case involving projects in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, for the 2025-2026 period.
Acting KPK Director of Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein announced the determination of the suspects during a press conference at the KPK’s Merah Putih Building in Jakarta on Friday. ‘KPK has elevated this case to the investigation stage by naming two individuals as suspects. First, SAF, the Regent of Langkat for the 2025-2030 period. Second, YQB, a private sector party and former member of SAF’s campaign team during the 2024 regional elections,’ Taufik stated.
Taufik explained that the suspect determination was based on sufficient preliminary evidence. SAF, as the alleged recipient of bribes, is suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or letter b and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption Crimes, as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001. Meanwhile, YQB, as the alleged giver of bribes, is suspected of violating Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Code Adjustments, in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.
Taufik further stated that both suspects have been detained for the first 20 days starting from 3 July to 22 July 2026. Syah Afandin is being held at the KPK Detention Centre at the Merah Putih Building in Jakarta, while YQB is temporarily detained at the Medan Police Detention Centre in North Sumatra.
Earlier on Friday morning, the KPK confirmed it had conducted a sting operation (OTT) resulting in the arrest of Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim, along with six other individuals in the Langkat, Binjai, and Medan areas of North Sumatra. In addition to the arrests, the KPK seized cash amounting to hundreds of millions of rupiah, which is suspected to be related to bribery involving projects under the Langkat Regency Education Office and the Langkat Regency Housing and Settlement Office.