Langkat Regent Arrested by KPK, Bobby Appoints Deputy Regent as Acting Regent

North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has handed over a letter appointing Deputy Regent of Langkat, Tiorita Br Surbakti, as Acting Regent of Langkat. The appointment was made after Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim, was caught in a sting operation by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Bobby stated the decision was taken after the North Sumatra Provincial Government coordinated directly with the Ministry of Home Affairs. This step was taken as a precaution to ensure public services are not disrupted and to prevent a leadership vacuum. “Yes, yesterday we coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs, directly with the Home Affairs Minister. We were asked to immediately carry out the appointment of an acting regent so that the wheels of government in Langkat Regency continue to run normally,” Bobby said at the North Sumatra Provincial Government Office on Monday (6/7). According to Bobby, the appointment decree has been handed over to the Deputy Regent of Langkat. Consequently, Tiorita Br Surbakti now carries out the duties and authority of the regional head to ensure the government continues to function properly. “Therefore, just now we have handed over the decree for the Deputy Regent to become the acting regent, to carry out the regent’s duties,” he said. Langkat Regent Syah Afandin was caught in a KPK sting operation in North Sumatra on Thursday (2/7). Syah Afandin is suspected of accepting bribes worth Rp800 million related to projects at the Education Agency and the Public Housing and Settlement Areas Agency. The money was allegedly received by Syah Afandin from a private sector party who was also his campaign team member during the 2024 regional election, named Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif. In the operation, the KPK arrested seven individuals: Syah Afandin, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif, Acting Head of the Langkat Education Agency Ilhamsyah, the regent’s aide Akbar, the regent’s driver Zulkifli, Syahrial, and a private party named Sugiarto. The KPK also seized evidence including Rp100 million in cash, foreign currency cash worth approximately Rp1.22 billion consisting of 66,950 Singapore dollars, 11,518 Malaysian ringgit, and Rp244.7 million, as well as 55 platinum bars with a total weight of about 55 kilograms found in Syah Afandin’s car. Additionally, investigators seized two bank accounts under Syah Afandin’s name with a balance of approximately Rp2.27 billion, electronic evidence, and several documents. Based on the initial investigation, the KPK named Syah Afandin and Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif as suspects. Both are detained for an initial 20 days, from 3 July to 22 July 2026. In this case, Syah Afandin, as the alleged bribe recipient, is charged under Article 12 letter a or letter b and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption. Meanwhile, Yaqub, as the alleged bribe giver, is charged under Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments and Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.