PAN Asserts Langkat Regent's Corruption Case is Personal Responsibility

The Central Executive Board of the National Mandate Party (PAN) has emphasised that the legal case ensnaring Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, a PAN cadre, is a personal responsibility and not that of the party. PAN Deputy Chairman Viva Yoga Mauladi stated in Jakarta on Friday that the party is saddened and concerned by the legal violation committed by Syah Afandin. According to him, this contradicts PAN’s platform and struggle to build a clean government. “PAN fully respects the legal process being carried out by the KPK in a professional, objective, and transparent manner,” Viva Yoga said. He conveyed that PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan always reminds and speaks firmly to party cadres in executive and legislative bodies to maintain integrity, obey the law, and be careful in their attitudes and actions when carrying out their duties. For this reason, he said that PAN apologises for the legal violation committed by Syah Afandin. According to him, PAN will continue to foster the character and integrity of its cadres and enhance their knowledge capacity in performing their duties. “PAN has deactivated Syah Afandin as Chairman of the PAN Regional Leadership Council for North Sumatra, and the leadership of PAN North Sumatra has been taken over by the Central Executive Board,” he said. Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) brought Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim, to the KPK’s Red and White Building in Jakarta on Friday for further examination following a sting operation. “One person was brought to Jakarta, namely the Regent. He is scheduled to arrive at the KPK’s Red and White Building this afternoon,” said KPK Spokesperson Budi Prasetyo. He explained that Syah Afandin was brought to Jakarta after undergoing an initial examination at the Medan City Police Headquarters in North Sumatra. Upon arrival at the KPK building, investigators will continue intensive examinations, including probing the possibility of other receipts allegedly received by the Langkat Regent.