Unusual Metal Find During KPK Sting Operation on Langkat Regent
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named Langkat Regent Syah Afandin (SAF), also known as Ondim, as a suspect in a bribery case involving project fees within the Langkat Regency Government, following a sting operation (OTT). The KPK discovered an unusual metal during the operation against Ondim.
Syah Afandin was caught in the KPK sting operation along with Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif (YQB), a member of Syah Afandin’s campaign team for the 2024 regional election. Both were subsequently named suspects by the KPK.
In the alleged bribery case, the KPK has named two suspects:
Langkat Regent Syah Afandin (SAF)
SAF’s campaign team member for the 2024 regional election, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu’arif (YQB).
This project fee scheme allegedly originated from work packages in the Langkat Education Department and the Langkat Public Housing and Settlement Department through a direct procurement method. The details include 80 work packages totalling Rp 9.5 billion in the Langkat Education Department and 5 work packages worth a total of Rp 748 million in the Langkat Public Housing Department.
In short, a project fee amount was agreed upon, namely Rp 990 million for projects in the Education Department and Rp 126.8 million for projects in the Public Housing Department. In response to this fee demand, by 5 April 2026, Yaqub had allegedly given Syah a total of Rp 800 million.
Syah is charged under Article 12 letter a or letter b and/or Article 12 B of Law Number 31 of 1999 in conjunction with Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning the Eradication of Corruption. Meanwhile, Yaqub is charged under Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law No. 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.
The KPK also seized a number of pieces of evidence during the sting operation against Syah Afandin. One of the pieces of evidence secured was platinum metal.
Platinum is a metal rarely found in corruption cases. The KPK more often finds gold in the cases it handles.
“(A total of) 55 pieces of platinum metal with a total weight of approximately 55 kg were found in SAF’s car,” said Acting Director of Investigation at the KPK, Achmad Taufik Husein, at the KPK building in Kuningan, Jakarta, on Friday (3/7).
The KPK will verify the authenticity of the platinum evidence through experts. In addition, cash amounting to Rp 100 million was seized.
“Cash amounting to Rp 100 million was seized from Syah Afandin. Cash in foreign currency totalling Rp 1.22 billion, with details of SGD 66,950, RM 11,518, and Rp 244.7 million,” he continued.
Furthermore, the KPK also seized two bank accounts under Syah Afandin’s name with a total value of Rp 2.27 billion, along with electronic evidence and several other documents.
Upon further investigation, Syah is suspected of not only receiving bribes. Syah also allegedly received gratuities worth Rp 3.5 billion.
“The KPK also found evidence of other alleged receipts or gratuities by SAF totalling at least Rp 3.5 billion, among which are suspected to be related to the transfer and filling of positions within the Education Department and sub-district heads in Langkat Regency,” said Taufik.
In addition to positions within the Langkat Regency Government, the alleged gratuities are also linked to the appointment of primary and junior secondary school principals. The KPK stated that Syah engaged in the buying and selling of school principal positions.
“When the position of school principal is traded, what is at stake is not only governance but also the future of children’s education,” said Taufik.
Syah is also said to have ‘played’ with the procurement of primary school uniforms. The KPK stated that school procurement was also corrupted. “When many students need school uniforms, the procurement process does not escape becoming a source of corruption,” said Taufik.