Tragic: Langkat Regent Turns School Uniforms into Graft Opportunity

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named the inactive Regent of Langkat, Syah Afandin, also known as Ondim, as a suspect in an alleged bribery and gratification case. Ondim is suspected of receiving gratifications totalling Rp 3.5 billion from various sources.

According to reports on Monday (6/7/2026), Ondim was arrested by the KPK during a sting operation (OTT) on Wednesday (1/7). He was subsequently taken to the KPK building in South Jakarta for intensive interrogation.

Following the investigation, the KPK officially named Ondim a suspect in the bribery and gratification case. He is alleged to have received bribes from a private individual named Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif.

Yaqub served as part of Ondim’s campaign team during the 2024 Regional Head Election. Following Ondim’s victory, Yaqub was awarded projects within the Langkat Education Office worth Rp 9.5 billion and within the Langkat Housing and Settlement Office worth Rp 748 million.

Ondim allegedly demanded a 10% fee from Yaqub for these projects, amounting to Rp 990 million for the Education Office project and Rp 126.8 million for the Housing and Settlement Office project.

The KPK suspects that Ondim had received Rp 800 million from Yaqub up until April 2026. In June 2026, Ondim reportedly requested an additional Rp 300 million, though Yaqub is alleged to have only been able to provide Rp 100 million.

In addition to the bribes, Ondim is suspected of receiving gratifications amounting to at least Rp 3.5 billion.

“In addition to the alleged corruption involving projects within the Langkat Regency Government, the KPK has also discovered other suspected receipts or gratifications by SAF totalling at least Rp 3.5 billion,” said the Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein.

The KPK further detailed the sources of this gratification, which included transfers and appointments within the Education Office and District Head (Camat) positions in Langkat, the appointment of primary and junior high school principals, and the procurement of primary school uniforms.

“At a time when many students are in need of school uniforms, the procurement process has instead become a niche for corruption,” said Taufik.

Ondim is facing charges under Article 12 (a) or (b) and/or Article 12 B of the Law on the Eradication of Corruption Crimes. He has been detained at the KPK detention centre.