PAN North Sumatra Responds After Its DPW Chairman, Langkat Regent, Caught in KPK Sting Operation
The National Mandate Party (PAN) in North Sumatra has responded to the arrest of Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim, who serves as the party’s regional chairman. He was caught in a sting operation (OTT) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday (3/7). Ondim was arrested in connection with a case involving the procurement of goods and services within the Langkat Regency Government.
Responding to the arrest of its leader, North Sumatra PAN Treasurer Mora Harahap described the KPK sting operation as shocking for the party’s ranks. However, the party is choosing to wait for clarity on the ongoing legal process before determining its stance.
‘As a cadre and a party, we were certainly shocked to receive that information,’ Mora Harahap told CNNIndonesia.com on Friday (3/7). Mora added that the information received by the North Sumatra PAN Regional Leadership Council (DPW) so far has only come from media reports. Therefore, the party has not yet held specific discussions or taken internal steps regarding the case. ‘We are also seeing it from the media,’ he said.
Mora admitted that he last met Syah Afandin about two weeks ago at an inauguration event. There has been no specific communication since. ‘I haven’t seen him for a long time either. We met two weeks ago at an inauguration event,’ he explained.
On that basis, he could not provide further comment regarding the news involving Syah Afandin. Mora stated that his party is still waiting for an official statement from the KPK. ‘We cannot comment yet because there has been no official release from the KPK. We are still waiting,’ he said. He also mentioned that he has not received any specific direction or instruction from the PAN Central Leadership Council (DPP) regarding the handling of the case. ‘There are no specific instructions from the DPP yet. We are also still waiting for further developments,’ he said.
Regarding Syah Afandin’s whereabouts after the sting operation, Mora admitted he has not received definite information. There is conflicting information suggesting Ondim is in Medan, while other reports say he has been taken to Jakarta for further examination. ‘The latest information is still confusing; some say he was taken to the Medan Police Headquarters, others say he has already been taken to Jakarta. We also cannot check directly,’ he revealed.
Mora added that the North Sumatra PAN DPW will wait for the 1x24 hour deadline the KPK has to determine the legal status of the detained parties before taking any organisational steps. ‘We are waiting for legal certainty and an official statement from the KPK. Only after that can we determine our internal stance,’ he concluded.
It is known that the Regent of Langkat Regency, Syah Afandin alias Ondim, was arrested by the KPK in a sting operation. The arrest was confirmed by KPK Deputy Chairman Fitroh Rohcahyanto. ‘That is correct,’ he said. However, the KPK has not yet detailed the specifics of the case ensnaring Syah Afandin. Fitroh stated that the handling process is still ongoing following the sting operation. ‘The details cannot be disclosed yet. Following the sting operation, further investigative efforts are certainly still being carried out,’ he stated.