KPK Reminds Witnesses In Corruption Cases Of The Coordinating Ministry For Cooperatives

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will summon witnesses in the corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). They are reminded to fulfill the investigator's summons. "The cooperative attitude of the parties who will be summoned as witnesses to support the investigation process this case is necessary," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri quoted on Monday, October 2. This request, continued Ali, also applies to the suspects who will be summoned after investigators have pocketed evidence. They are asked to fulfill the summons to account for their actions. In addition, the anti-corruption commission also gave an ultimatum not to any party obstructing the investigation. This warning was conveyed after investigators found that there were strongly suspected documents related to the flow of money to be destroyed. This finding was obtained after investigators searched the Ministry of Agriculture office in Jakarta on Friday, September 29. "We are required to apply the provisions of Article 21 of the Anti-Corruption Law to various parties in question," said Ali. As for the sound of Article 21 of the Anti-Corruption Law is: "Every person who deliberately prevents, obstructs, or indirectly thwarts direct investigations, prosecutions, and examinations at trial against suspects and defendants or witnesses in corruption cases shall be punished with a minimum imprisonment of three years and a maximum of 12 years and or a fine of at most Rp. 150 million and a maximum of Rp. 600 million. Previously reported, the KPK raised the status of the alleged corruption in the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementantan) to investigation. The KPK team has searched the official residence of Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo in Widya Chandra, South Jakarta. During the search effort, money was found tens of billions of rupiah and firearms in the form of pistols. The KPK said the findings of money would be analyzed by investigators for confiscation. Meanwhile, firearms will be taken care of by the police.

The anti-corruption commission did not want to talk about the determination of Syahrul as a suspect even though various reports mentioned this. This institution stated that the announcement would be made together with forced detention efforts. Then, investigators have searched the Ministry of Agriculture's Office. As a result, documents allegedly related to the corruption case are being handled.