KPK Names Langkat Regent Syah Afandin a Suspect in Project Bribery Case

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has officially named the Regent of Langkat for the 2025-2030 period, Syah Afandin (SAF), a suspect in an alleged bribery case linked to projects within the Langkat Regency Government, North Sumatra, for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. In addition to SAF, the KPK has also charged YQB, a private individual who was a former member of SAF’s campaign team during the 2024 regional election. Acting KPK Director of Investigation, Achmad Taufik Husein, stated that the case was elevated to the investigation stage after investigators found sufficient evidence. The naming of the suspects follows a sting operation conducted by the anti-corruption agency’s team on Friday morning in the North Sumatra region. For the purpose of the investigation, the KPK immediately detained both suspects for an initial 20-day period, scheduled from 3 July to 22 July 2026. During the covert operation carried out in the Langkat, Binjai, and Medan areas, the KPK not only arrested SAF and YQB but also detained six other individuals, comprising one civil servant from the Langkat Regency Government and five private citizens. Investigators also seized evidence in the form of cash amounting to hundreds of millions of rupiah. The money is strongly suspected to be related to a bribery commitment to secure projects in two strategic agencies. For his actions, Syah Afandin, as the bribe recipient, is charged under Article 12 letter a or letter b and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 on the Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001. Meanwhile, YQB, as the bribe giver, is suspected of violating Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2026 on Criminal Adjustments in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.