Former Head Of General Bureau Of The Ministry Of Agriculture Questioned About Procurement Of Ant Acid In The SYL Era
JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is investigating partners with the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) in the process of procuring formiatic acid or ant acid whose ends are corrupted. This process was carried out by examining Maman Suherman as the former Head of the General Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture.
KPK spokesman Budi Prasetyo said the inspection was carried out at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta on Wednesday, October 22.
This ant acid or formiatic acid is a chemical used to freeze rubber sap or latex (coagulan). This substance can speed up the process carried out.
"Brother MS was investigated by investigators regarding his knowledge of partners in the procurement of formic acid," Budi told reporters in a written statement, Thursday, October 23.
The procurement of corrupt formiatic acid occurred in the period 2021-2023. At that time, Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL was still serving as Minister of Agriculture before being charged by the KPK for cases of extortion and gratification within the Ministry of Agriculture.
Previously reported, the KPK suspected that there was an inflated budget for the purchase of rubber sap at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan).
This was conveyed by the Director of Investigation of the KPK Asep Guntur Rahayu when asked about the ongoing investigation.
"So we are currently also handling cases related to procurement, I forgot the name, but the acid used to thicken rubber. ... If it used to be called ant acid, the name was there to thicken rubber," Asep told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, November 28.
SEE ALSO:
In this case, the KPK has named a suspect. Eight people have also been prevented from leaving the country for six months.
The KPK did not specify their identities. However, from the information gathered they are DS, RIS as a private party; YW, SUP, ANA, AJH, and MT who are civil servants or civil servants of the Ministry of Agriculture; and a retiree with the initials DJ.