Langkat Regent Previously Caught in Sting Operation, His Successor Now Also Snared by KPK

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has conducted a sting operation (OTT) against Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim. Ondim becomes the second Langkat Regent to be caught in a KPK sting operation in succession. KPK Deputy Chairperson Fitroh Rohcahyanto confirmed the operation when asked for confirmation on Friday (3/7/2026). He has not yet explained who else was caught in this operation. Fitroh also has not detailed the case that led to Ondim’s arrest. Ondim, who was caught in the sting, is still under examination. The KPK has 1x24 hours to determine the status of the detained parties. For context, Ondim is the younger brother of former North Sumatra Governor Syamsul Arifin. He was elected as Langkat Regent for the 2025-2030 period. Previously, he served as Deputy Regent of Langkat alongside Terbit Rencana Perangin-angin. In 2022, Ondim served as Acting Regent of Langkat after Terbit was arrested by the KPK. In January 2022, the KPK conducted a sting operation against Terbit and several other individuals. After examination, the KPK named Terbit and five others as suspects. Terbit was subsequently tried at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court. He was found guilty of accepting bribes related to Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) projects in 2021 and sentenced to 9 years in prison and a fine of Rp 300 million. Terbit’s sentence was later reduced on appeal to 7.5 years in prison and a fine of Rp 300 million. The sentence remained unchanged at the cassation level. In addition to the corruption case, Terbit was also convicted in the ‘human cage’ case. He initially received an acquittal. However, the Supreme Court overturned the acquittal and imposed a sentence of 4 years in prison and a fine of Rp 200 million. Terbit fought the decision by submitting a judicial review (PK), but the Supreme Court rejected the review.