Not Only Extortion, SYL Was Charged With Receiving Gratification Of IDR 40.6 Billion

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL was not only charged with extorting one echelon officials at the Ministry of Agriculture. This is because the Public Prosecutor (JPU) also charged him with receiving gratuities worth Rp40.6 billion.

"The defendant received money and payments for personal needs and the defendant's family totaling Rp40,647,444,494," said the KPK prosecutor reading out the indictment at the Tipiko Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Wednesday, February 28.

The value of receiving gratuities is money that SYL has used for personal and family interests from January 2020 to October 2023.

The money came from forced withdrawal of contributions to echelon one officials at the Ministry of Agriculture in the amount of Rp44.5 billion.

Syahrul Yasin Limpo uses the contribution money for the needs of his wife and family, invited gifts, aircraft charters, natural disaster or basic necessities, going abroad, Umrah, and sacrificing.

"The receipt of money, goods and payments for the personal needs of the defendant and his family has never been reported to the KPK within 30 working days of being received," he said.

"The defendant's actions must be considered as giving bribes because it relates to the position of defendant as Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia in 2019-2023 as stipulated in Articles 12C paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Anti-Corruption Law," continued the prosecutor.

Meanwhile, Syahrul Yasin Limpo was accused of extortion by withdrawing contributions to echelon one officials at the Ministry of Agriculture from 2020 to 2023. The total reached Rp44.5 billion.

SYL did not immediately withdraw the contributions to the Ministry of Agriculture echelon officials. Rather, through his trusted people.

They are Imam Mujahidin Fahmid as the Special Staff of the Minister of Agriculture, Kasdi Subagyono who was the Director General of Plantation for the 2020 period, Muhammad Hatta, who at that time served as Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery, and Panji Harjanto as SYL's aide.

The order to withdraw the contributions was conveyed by SYL to his trusted people when he was in his room around the beginning of 2020.

"The defendant also conveyed that there was a 20 percent share of the budget in each sector, directorate, and agency at the Ministry of Agriculture which must be given to the defendant," said the prosecutor.

In fact, Syahrul Yasin Limpo is said to have threatened his staff. If someone does not deposit money or obeys his request it will lose their position.

"The defendant also conveyed to the ranks under the defendant that if echelon I officials could not fulfill the defendant's request, his position was in danger, he could be transferred or dismissed by the defendant," he said.

"And if there are officials who are not in line with what the defendant said, they should resign from their positions," continued the prosecutor.

Syahrul Yasin Limpo was charged with violating Article 12 letter e and Article 12 letter B Juncto Article 18 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code (KUHP) Juncto Article 64 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.