KPK Reveals Chronology of Langkat Regent's Arrest After Information Leak
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed the chronology of the sting operation (OTT) against the Regent of Langkat, Syah Afandin (SAF), also known as Ondim, which commenced following an event held by the Association of Indonesian Regency Governments (Apkasi).
Acting Director of Investigations at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, stated at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta that the series of operations began when Syah Afandin contacted his former 2024 regional election campaign team member, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif (YQB), after attending the Apkasi event on Wednesday, 1 July 2026.
“On Wednesday, 1 July 2026, at approximately 21:00 WIB, SAF contacted YQB to arrange a meeting after the Apkasi event concluded,” said Taufik, as reported on Saturday, 4 July 2026.
However, at around 23:00 WIB, Syah Afandin’s driver, identified by the initials ZKF, contacted Yaqub to cancel the meeting because Syah Afandin had become aware that a KPK team was present in the Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. “ZKF contacted YQB to request that SAF change course. This was because SAF knew there was a KPK team in Langkat Regency. It appears the arrival of the team had already been monitored by SAF,” he added.
The following day, Thursday, 2 July 2026, Yaqub was contacted again through a former member of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), identified by the initials SYH. According to Taufik, SYH conveyed that the situation was intensifying and requested that the Rp100 million demanded by Syah Afandin be handed over through him.
At approximately 08:00 WIB, Yaqub met SYH at a cafe in Medan to hand over the Rp100 million. While SYH was travelling towards Binjai, the KPK team intercepted the vehicle he was travelling in and discovered the Rp100 million hidden under a car seat.
“The KPK field team successfully secured the Rp100 million found under the seat of the vehicle carrying SYH,” said Taufik.
Subsequently, the KPK arrested seven individuals in Langkat, Binjai, and Medan, namely Syah Afandin, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif, SYH, ZKF, the Regent’s aide (AKB), a private sector individual (SG), and the Head of the Langkat Regency Education Office, Ilhamsyah Bangun.
On Friday, 3 July 2026, the KPK officially named Syah Afandin and Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif as suspects in an alleged bribery scandal involving projects within the Langkat Regency Government for the 2025–2026 period. Syah Afandin is alleged to have received bribes totalling Rp800 million from a total commitment of Rp1.117 billion provided by Yaqub, following the procurement of 80 projects in 2025 within the Langkat Regency Education Office and five projects within the Department of Housing and Residential Areas.