Accompanied By Minister Siti Nurbaya, Minister Of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo Has Submitted A Letter Of Resignation To The Palace

Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo. (doc the Ministry of Agriculture)

Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Pratikno said Syahrul Yasin Limpo had submitted a letter of resignation as Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) today, Thursday, October 5. He was accompanied by the Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya.

"Pak Syahrul sent a letter to the President, which contained his resignation as Minister of Agriculture," Pratikno told reporters at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, October 5.

Pratikno said the letter would soon be reported to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Follow-up will be carried out, such as issuing a Presidential Decree (Keppres) and looking for a replacement for Syahrul as Minister of Agriculture.

"Follow this action, of course we will immediately (do it, ed). Later I will wait for the direction of the President," he said.

Furthermore, Pratikno said Syahrul did not meet President Jokowi. Although the time will be sought, the NasDem politician admits that he wants to rest first.

Because Syahrul had just returned from abroad and underwent an examination at Polda Metro Jaya.

The investigation is suspected to be related to allegations of extortion during the investigation into alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Information circulating that this incident also involved a leader at the institution.

"He (Syahrul, ed) conveyed, therefore he asked for the time he planned to meet the President tomorrow, asking the President for time to face tomorrow," said Pratikno.

However, we do not yet know whether the meeting between Syahrul and President Jokowi could be held or not. "We have to check the schedule," he said.

Previously reported, Syahrul was reportedly caught in an alleged corruption with two of his subordinates, namely the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono, and the Director of Agricultural Equipment at the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta. Investigations are still being carried out by the KPK.

In investigating this case, 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.