KPK Forced Pick-up Of Ex-Minister Of Agriculture SYL In Kebayoran Baru

Syahrul Yasin Limpo was forcibly picked up by the KPK/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confirmed the forced pick-up of former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo.

"Earlier, one suspect was arrested on behalf of SYL in an apartment in an apartment in the South Jakarta area," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri to reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, October 12.

Syahrul is currently at the Red and White Building since arriving at 19.15 WIB. The NasDem Party politician is still being questioned by KPK investigators.

Previously, Syahrul Yasin Limpo's lawyer, Febri Diansyah, questioned the basis for his client's forced pick-up. He said Syahrul had actually received a summons for questioning on Friday, October 13.

"Pak Syahrul has already received the summons for the inspection schedule tomorrow Friday. He said he would cooperate and confirmed that he would come to the examination tomorrow," Febri said in a written statement received by VOI, Thursday, October 12.

VOI received the summons in question. In it, Syahrul as a suspect in the alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture is scheduled to be examined tomorrow and signed by Acting Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK Asep Guntur.

The KPK has announced Syahrul and two of his subordinates, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and Director of Agricultural Equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta as suspects on Wednesday, October 11. All three were involved in alleged extortion and gratuities.

In this case, Syahrul through his two subordinates was suspected of extorting his employees by requiring to pay the deposit every month. The nominal varies between 4,000-10,000 United States dollars.

It is believed that the money collected does not only come from the realization of the Ministry of Agriculture's budget inflated or mark-ups but from vendors working on projects. The money is given in cash, transfers or goods.