Answering About The Reshuffle Issue, Puan Maharani: If I Know Leaks, I Won't Tell You

Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Photo: DOK DPR RI)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the PDI-P DPP, Puan Maharani, did not want to talk much about the cabinet reshuffle rumors by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). This rumor emerged when the name of the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) was reportedly a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). According to Puan, the reshuffle authority rests with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). He asked the media crew to ask directly to the palace. "Oh, the president's prerogative is to ask Mr. Jokowi whether it will be reshuffled ahead of this election, yes, ask Mr. Jokowi," said Puan after meeting with PSI General Chair Kaesang Pangarep in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Thursday, October 5. Puan emphasized that even though there was information about the reshuffle from the palace, she would not talk much to the media crew. "Even if I knew the leak, I wouldn't tell you," said Puan. Syahrul Yasin Limpo finally arrived in the country from Europe on Wednesday, October 4 after it was reported missing. News that NasDem politicians could not be contacted initially was conveyed by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Harvick Hasnul Qolbi. The KPK has raised the status of the investigation into alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture to investigate. There are already suspects who have been named but no details have been given. However, information circulated that the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono, and Director of Agricultural Equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta were dragged into this case. The KPK said there were three clusters of alleged corruption handled by investigators. The details are extortion related to positions, gratuities, and allegations of money laundering (TPPU). The anti-corruption commission has conducted a search. At the official residence of Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, investigators found Rp30 billion in cash consisting of rupiah denominations and foreign currencies and firearms. Then, the search was continued at the Ministry of Agriculture's Office. As a result, documents related to the corruption case were found.

Most recently, investigators also visited Hatta's house in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta. From the forced effort, Rp400 million was found. The findings obtained from the search are now being analyzed and confiscation will be carried out. Meanwhile, the findings of firearms were handed over to the police for follow-up.