Mahfud MD: The Government Does Not Know The Whereabouts Of Minister Of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD when giving a statement at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/10/2023). (ANTARA/Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga)

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menkopolhukam) Mahfud MD said the government is currently not aware of the whereabouts of the Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who reportedly lost contact after his working visit to Europe. "About him (Syahrul Yasin Limpo) where he is now, we (the government) don't know either," Mahfud said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, October 4. Mahfud said the government had indeed stated that it would assist the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in investigating alleged corruption cases at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) according to their capacity. However, he continued, regarding the disappearance of Syahrul Yasin Limpo, the government also did not know the whereabouts of the person concerned. "I mean, if there are difficulties, for example, the investigation of confiscated items, allegedly destroyed, firearms, and so on, yes, we facilitate them to be resolved immediately. We help. That is the government's obligation. But, where is he now, we don't know either," he explained. Mahfud believes that the KPK has a way or step that must be taken to find Syahrul Yasin Limpo. Mahfud assessed that a minister's class is not easy to disappear from the public. "If it disappears, in the sense of avoiding the apparatus or running, I don't think it's easy," he added. Nevertheless, Mahfud emphasized that the unclear position of Syahrul Yasin Limpo at this time could not be expected to avoid the legal process, because there has been no determination of the wanted list (DPO) from the authorities. "Not yet, not yet, not yet suspected; because this can only be suspected if the DPO has been said by the authorities. This is not yet a DPO. We are waiting for the information," said Mahfud. Regarding the determination of the suspect in the alleged corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture, Mahfud admitted that he had received information that the KPK had named two suspects. "Yes, I have received the information. In fact, if the exposure has known the suspect for a long time," said Mahfud. He also invited the media crew to ask the KPK directly who were the suspects in the alleged corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture. Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo asked all parties to wait for the arrival of Syahrul Yasin Limpo to return to the country after making a working visit to Europe. "Yes, wait, he is leaving (abroad), he has not yet arrived in Indonesia," said Jokowi after attending the opening of Inacraft in Jakarta, Wednesday. Jokowi also asked about the news that Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who was suspected of being involved in a suspected corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture, had lost contact. "Who lost contact? Who? Just try to get in contact, can you. Does someone have his phone number or not? Try to get into contact," said Jokowi. Information from Syahrul Yasin Limpo lost contact after the working visit to Italy and Spain was first revealed by Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Harvick Hasnul Qolbi at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (3/10). According to Harvick, his party at the Ministry of Agriculture has not been able to contact Syahrul since he was scheduled to return from his working visits in Italy and Spain.

"Saturday (30/9) or Sunday (1/10), (Syahrul Yasin Limpo) should have returned (to Indonesia). It's only been two, three days (not being able to communicate with SYL)," said Harvick after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday.