As Of Friday Afternoon, SYL Has Still Been Investigated By The KPK Since Being Arrested On Thursday Night

Syahrul Yasin Limpo arrived at the KPK building in a handcuffed condition in Jakarta, Thursday (12/10/2023) night (Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo is still being investigated by investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) until Friday, October 13 afternoon. This process has been running for about 18 hours since the alleged corruption suspect at the Ministry of Agriculture was arrested last night. "Yes, so far the investigative team is still conducting a series of investigations on the suspect," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri to reporters in a written statement, Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Syahrul's team of lawyers, Ervan Lubis, said that his client had rested in the middle of the examination. There were about 25 questions asked by investigators until 04.00 WIB earlier. "His condition (Syahrul, ed) was quite tired," said Ervan. Syahrul was arrested in the Kebayoran area, South Jakarta on Thursday night even though he was supposed to be questioned on Friday, October 13. He immediately underwent an examination at the KPK's Red and White Building. This arrest was then considered rushed, let alone Syahrul stated that he would be ready to visit the KPK. However, the anti-corruption commission claimed that this process was carried out according to the procedure. Previously reported, the KPK had announced Syahrul and his two subordinates, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and Director of the Agriculture Tool of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta as suspects on Wednesday, October 11. All three were involved in allegations of extortion and gratification.

In this case, Syahrul through his two subordinates is suspected of extorting his employees by requiring to pay deposits every month. The nominal varies between 4,000-10,000 US dollars. The money collected is believed to have not only come from the realization of the Ministry of Agriculture's budget inflated or mark-ups but from vendors working on the project. The money is given in cash, transfers or goods.