ICW Urges Firli Bahuri Not To Take Part In The Decision In The Ministry Of Agriculture's Corruption Case

KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri/DOK PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher Kurnia Ramadhana urged the Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri not to participate in handling allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan).

This pressure arose in response to the alleged extortion case against former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who is currently being handled by Polda Metro Jaya. Firli was asked not to participate in the ongoing process until the allegations were investigated.

"ICW urges the KPK not to involve Firli Bahuri in any decision-making related to the handling of cases of alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture," Kurnia told reporters in a written statement, Tuesday, October 10.

Kurnia emphasized that this step must be taken to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain independence. Because previously it was known that Firli had met Syahrul, where the meeting was strongly suspected not in relation to the KPK's officiality, "said this anti-corruption activist.

"Moreover, Firli is the party suspected of being the perpetrator of Syahrul's extortion, as is currently being discussed by the public," continued Kurnia.

As previously reported, photos of Firli and Syahrul allegedly meeting circulated amid the investigation into alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture. It is not clear when the meeting was held by the two of them in a badminton sports arena (gor).

In the photo, Firli is seen wearing a dark sports shirt with white accents and black shorts and sports shoes. Meanwhile, Syahrul was seen wearing a shirt and jeans.

They sat on the bench and seemed to be talking. Syahrul looked back at the camera.

In addition to this photo, there is a chronology circulating about the meeting between Firli and Syahrul in a sports gor. Journalists received the document via text message on Thursday, October 5 but its origin is unknown.

In the document, the meeting between Firli and Syahrul was said to have taken place in December 2022. The meeting resulted in the provision of Rp1 billion in Singapore dollar denominations.

As for the cases handled by the KPK, Syahrul was entangled along with two of his subordinates. They are the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and the Director of Agricultural Equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta.

The KPK revealed that three corruption clusters were handled, namely extortion related to positions, gratuities, and money laundering (TPPU).