KPK Seizes Hundreds of Millions in Cash During Langkat Regent Sting Operation

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has secured evidence in the form of cash worth hundreds of millions of rupiah in a sting operation (OTT) that ensnared Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim, in North Sumatra. The money is strongly suspected to be the fulfilment of a project fee commitment from a private party to the regional head.

“The team also secured evidence, including cash worth hundreds of millions of rupiah, which is suspected to be part of a project fee given by a private party to the regent,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo at the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Friday (3/7).

Budi detailed that the alleged corrupt practices are closely linked to procurement project packages within the Langkat Regency Education Office (Disdik) and the Langkat Regency Housing and Settlement Office (Perkim). The anti-corruption agency is not stopping at the nominal amount found during the silent operation. KPK investigators are now exploring the potential for other fund flows, including the alleged receipt of gratuities by the regent or other key officials within the Langkat Regency Government.

“Of course, it will be investigated and traced whether there were other receipts or gratuities received by the regent or state officials in the Langkat area,” Budi stressed. In the series of operations conducted since Thursday (2/7), the KPK secured a total of seven individuals across three different areas: Langkat Regency, Binjai City, and Medan City. In addition to Regent Syah Afandin, the six other individuals arrested consisted of a Langkat Regency civil servant (ASN) and five representatives from private companies acting as project partners.

In accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP), the KPK has a critical maximum of 24 hours from the time of arrest to conduct intensive examinations and announce the official legal status of the parties caught in the sting operation.