Langkat Regent Also Allegedly Received Rp 3.5 Billion in Gratification, Beyond Bribery

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has disclosed that Langkat Regent Syah Afandin (SAF) not only received bribes related to projects within the Langkat Regency Government but is also suspected of receiving gratification amounting to Rp 3.5 billion. This was conveyed by KPK Acting Director of Investigations Achmad Taufik Husein during a press conference at the KPK Building in Jakarta on Friday (3/7/2026). Taufik explained that one of the allegations involves gratification related to the filling of positions. “The KPK also found evidence of other alleged receipts or gratification by SAF totalling at least Rp 3.5 billion, among them suspected to be related to mutations and filling of positions within the Education Department and Sub-district Heads in Langkat Regency,” said Taufik. Besides positions within the Langkat Regency Government, the alleged gratification is also linked to the appointment of primary and junior secondary school principals. The KPK stated that Syah engaged in the buying and selling of school principal positions. “When the position of school principal is traded, what is at stake is not only governance but also the future of children’s education,” Taufik remarked. Furthermore, Syah is also said to have ‘played’ with the procurement of primary school uniforms. The KPK stated that school procurement was also corrupted. “When many students need school uniforms, the procurement process is not spared from becoming a source of corruption,” Taufik said. In the bribery case, the KPK has named two suspects: Langkat Regent Syah Afandin (SAF) and his campaign success team member during the 2024 regional election, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif (YQB). Syah was caught in a KPK sting operation along with six other individuals. During the operation, the KPK secured a number of pieces of evidence. “55 pieces of platinum metal with a total weight of approximately 55kg were found in SAF’s car,” Taufik stated. Taufik added that experts will verify the authenticity of this evidence. Additionally, cash amounting to Rp 100 million was seized. “Cash totalling Rp 100 million was seized from Syah Affandi. Cash in foreign currencies totalling Rp 1.22 billion, with details of SGD 66,950, RM 11,518, and Rp 244.7 million,” he continued.