KPK suspects Langkat Regent to receive gratification of IDR 3.5 billion related to the sale and purchase of positions to school uniforms

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that there was a gratification receipt worth Rp. 3.5 billion by Langkat Regent Syah Afandin. The money is suspected to be related to the sale and purchase of positions in the Langkat Regency Government to the procurement of elementary school uniforms.

This finding was conveyed by the acting (Plt) Director of KPK Investigation Achmad Taufik Husein when announcing the results of the hand-in-hand operation (OTT) carried out in the Langkat, Binjai, and Medan regions, North Sumatra.

"In addition to the alleged corruption in the Langkat Regency Government project, the KPK also found other alleged receipt or gratification by SAF totaling at least IDR 3.5 billion," Taufik told reporters at the KPK's Red and White building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, early Saturday, July 4.

Taufik explained that the gratification was allegedly related to mutations and filling positions in the Education Service as well as the head of the village in Langkat Regency. This practice even caused unrest among civil servants (ASN).

Then the KPK found allegations of buying and selling the post of head of an elementary and junior high school. "What is at stake is not only government governance, but also the future of children's education," he said.

Next, investigators suspect Afandin received gratification related to the procurement of elementary school uniforms.

"When many students need school uniforms, but the procurement does not escape becoming a corruption niche," said Taufik.

Apart from gratification, the KPK also named Syah Afandin along with his team members during the 2024 Pilkada, Yaqub Abdhal Al Mu'arif as suspects of bribery related to projects at the Langkat Regency Education Office and the Langkat Regency Housing Office. Both were detained for the first 20 days from July 3 to July 22 and could be extended as needed by investigators.

Syah Afandin was detained at the KPK Red and White Building Branch State Detention House (Rutan). Meanwhile, Yaqub is still being held at the Medan Police Detention House because he did not get a plane ticket to Jakarta.

In this case, Afandin is suspected of violating Article 12 letter a or letter b and/or Article 12B of Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001.

Meanwhile, Yaqub, as the party suspected of giving bribes, was charged with Article 605 or Article 606 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustment in conjunction with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.