The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Calls 49 Officials And ASN Ministry Of Agriculture Have Been Examined For Investigation Of Corruption Cases

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) said as many as 49 officials and state civil servants (ASN) at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) had been questioned regarding the investigation into alleged corruption in the agency.

"The need for an investigation has invited, yes, for the request for information is 49 (people), be it officials, ASN within the Ministry of Agriculture, including the minister (Syahrul Yasin Limpo)," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, July 5.

Ali added that the KPK is currently analyzing the statements of the parties and collecting various other evidences.

If based on the analysis, a criminal event is found and a person can be legally held accountable, it will be followed up by increasing the investigation process to the investigation stage.

The KPK also did not rule out the possibility of recalling the 49 people if needed for the ongoing investigation process.

"If it is needed again, yes, we will invite anyone from 49 again in the context of the investigation," he explained.

However, Ali said that he did not share the information that could be conveyed to the public regarding the performance of the KPK at the Ministry of Agriculture because the process was still under investigation.

"When investigating, we will convey to the public every development as a form of openness of the KPK's work in the field of prosecution, because in the investigation process of course we cannot convey what material it is, who, what was later confirmed and others," said Ali.

In this regard, the Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Monday (19/6), has complied with the KPK's invitation to provide information regarding the alleged corruption investigation case at the ministry.

"I fulfilled the summons from the KPK, which had been summoned twice before, I am in activities related to state activities," said Syahrul Yasin Limpo to reporters at the ACLC KPK building, Jakarta, Monday (19/6).

Syahrul stated that he was ready to cooperate and stated that he was ready to attend at any time when the KPK needed him.

"It will be cooperative, whenever needed, I am ready to attend," he added.

On June 14, 2023, the KPK announced that it had opened an investigation into alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture. This information was confirmed by Plt. Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu.

"KPK is conducting an investigation into alleged corruption in the Ministry of Agriculture," said Asep.

However, Asep has not been able to provide further information about the case because the process is still under investigation.

"That's right, it's still in the process of being investigated, sorry we haven't got any information yet," he said.