Question Marks Over Origin of 55 Kg Platinum Found in Langkat Regent's Car

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating the origin of 55 kilograms of platinum found in the car of Langkat Regent Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim, during a sting operation. Ondim was arrested on Wednesday, 1 July, and subsequently named a suspect in an alleged bribery and gratification case following intensive examination. He is suspected of receiving bribes from a private sector individual, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif, who was part of Ondim’s campaign team during the 2024 regional election. Yaqub secured projects worth IDR 9.5 billion at the Education Office and IDR 748 million at the Langkat Public Housing and Settlement Office. Ondim allegedly requested a fee of IDR 990 million for the education office project and IDR 126.8 million for the public housing project. The KPK suspects Ondim had received IDR 800 million from Yaqub by April 2026. He allegedly requested an additional IDR 300 million in June 2026, but Yaqub is believed to have only provided IDR 100 million. The handover of this money was thwarted by the KPK’s sting operation on 1 July 2026, and the IDR 100 million was seized from Ondim’s confidant, Syahrial. In addition to the cash, KPK investigators seized a total of IDR 1.2 billion in foreign and local currency, 55 pieces of platinum metal weighing 55 kilograms from Ondim’s car, and a bank account containing IDR 2.2 billion. Ondim is also suspected of receiving gratuities totalling IDR 3.5 billion, allegedly sourced from staff mutations and appointments within the Langkat Education Office and sub-district heads, as well as the appointment of primary and junior high school principals and the procurement of primary school uniforms. He has been charged under Article 12 letters a or b and/or Article 12 B of the Corruption Eradication Law and is currently detained at the KPK detention centre. KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo stated that investigators are now tracing the origin of the platinum, which is rarer than gold, to understand why it was in the regent’s possession. He added that experts will be called upon to verify the authenticity of the metal, as this is a crucial step in the investigation.