Check Hanan Entrepreneurs In The Ministry Of Agriculture's Corruption Link, KPK Investigate Money Flow Of IDR 15 Billion

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigative team said businessman Hanan Supangkat had undergone an examination of the procurement project at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) through access from the suspect former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL).

"It is investigated the alleged use of certain company controls by witnesses to participate in procurement projects at the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture through access from the suspect SYL," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri, Tuesday, March 26.

Ali explained that the examination of the CEO of PT Mulia Knitting Factory as well as the former Chair of the Ferrari Owners Club Indonesia (FOCI) took place on Monday (25/1) at the KPK's Red and White Building, South Jakarta. During the examination, the investigation team also confirmed the findings in the search of the house that allegedly belonged to the person concerned.

"The witness of the investigation team confirmed, among other things, the connection between the findings of some money when a search was carried out at his residence," he said.

The KPK investigation team previously revealed that they found around Rp. 15 billion in cash during a search at Hanan Supangkat's residence, at Intercon Housing, Kebon Jeruk Park, Srengseng, Kembangan, West Jakarta, Wednesday (6/3) night.

"The money was also obtained in the form of rupiah cash and foreign currency with the amount of around tens of billions of rupiah which is suspected to have a direct connection with this case," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri when confirmed in Jakarta, Thursday (7/3).

Ali explained that the search was part of the development of an investigation into the alleged crime of money laundering (TPPU) with the suspect former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo.

"In this activity, it was found that there were a number of documents in the form of various records of project work at the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture and electronic evidence," he said.

To note, the former Minister of Agriculture for the 2019-2023 period Syahrul Yasim Limpo (SYL) is undergoing a trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court (PN).

SYL was charged with extortion and received gratuities totaling Rp44.5 billion in cases of alleged corruption at the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) in the 2020-2023 period.

The Public Prosecutor (JPU) of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Masmudi said the extortion was carried out with Kasdi Subagyono as Secretary General of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture for the period 2021-2023, and Muhammad Hatta as Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture in 2023, among others, to pay SYL's personal needs.

"The amount of money the defendant received while serving as Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia by using coercion of a total of Rp44.5 billion," said KPK prosecutor Masmudi in reading the indictment at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Wednesday.

Thus, he emphasized that SYL's actions were as regulated and threatened with crime in Article 12 letter e Juncto (jo.) Article 18 of Law (UU) Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Amendments to Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Criminal Acts of Corruption jo. Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code (KUHP) jo. Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.

Masmudi explained that SYL had to collect money by asking Kasdi and Hatta as coordinators for collecting money from echelon I officials and their staff.

Furthermore, in the implementation in the field, he said, the collection of money and payments of personal interests of SYL and the defendant's family were carried out by employees to each Directorate, Secretariat, and Agency at the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture. Then the money was used in accordance with SYL's orders and directions.

"The defendant also conveyed that there is a 20 percent share of the budget in each Secretariat, Directorate, and Body at the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture which must be given to the defendant," he added.

If echelon I officials cannot fulfill SYL's request, Masmudi said that SYL conveyed to his subordinate staff that their position was in danger, could be transferred, or dismissed.

In addition, he continued, if there were officials who were not in line with what SYL said, the defendant asked the official to resign from his position.