It's Been 3 Days Since The Deputy Minister Of Loss Of Contact With The Minister Of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo

Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Harvick Hasnul Qolbi (ANTARA/HO-Ministry of Agriculture)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan)Harvick Hasnul Qolbi admitted that he had lost contact with the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) for the last three days.

According to Harvick, his party at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) could not contact Syahrul since he was scheduled to return from his working visits in Italy and Spain.

"Saturday (30/9) or Sunday (1/10) should (Syahrul Yasin Limpo) have returned (to Indonesia). It's only been two, three days (not being able to communicate with SYL)," said Harvick after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 3.

So far, his party admits that he does not know where Syahrul Yasin Limpo is, who is suspected of being involved in a corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Harvick said Syahrul made a working visit to Italy and Spain along with three echelon I officials, several echelon II officials, and Ministry of Agriculture staff. However, when they returned to the country, they separated.

"Back to the country, each of them, because maybe tickets are also limited and finally separated," he said.

Harvick also admitted that he did not know where the former governor of South Sulawesi was in.

When asked about efforts to report the disappearance of Syahrul to the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Spain, Harvick said the competent and responsible agency may have begun to search for Syahrul's whereabouts.

Harvick also said that President Joko Widodo was aware of the news of Syahrul Yasin Limpo's disappearance. Jokowi has also appointed Harvick as an interim commander.