Firli Signs SYL's Arrest Letter, KPK: Technical Affairs Don't Have To Be Questioned

Head of KPK News Section Ali Fikri (Photo: Wardhany T/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has asked for an arrest warrant for former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo, which was signed by KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri, not to be questioned. The ongoing process to bring the NasDem politician to the KPK building is confirmed according to the rules. This was conveyed by the Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri in response to the statement of former KPK investigator Novel Baswedan who highlighted Firli's move to sign an arrest warrant with the contribution of the leadership and investigators. In fact, the head of the anti-corruption commission according to the KPK Law Number 2019 is not an investigator. “ No need to question technical matters. It's just a matter of interpreting the law, ” Ali told reporters, Friday, October 13. "All administrations of investigations, investigations, and prosecutions have script rules in effect at the KPK," he continued. Ali emphasized that Syahrul's arrest was in accordance with applicable regulations. "It can be done against anyone who is strongly suspected of committing a crime based on sufficient evidence and should not be preceded by a summons," he said. Novel said Firli, who was not an investigator, seemed to claim to be an investigator. This is because he signed an arrest warrant which was actually quite signed by the Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK. As previously reported, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) was arrested in the Kebayoran area, South Jakarta on Thursday night even though he was supposed to be questioned on Friday, October 13. He immediately underwent an examination at the KPK's Red and White Building. In this case of alleged extortion and gratification, the KPK has announced Syahrul along with 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. Syahrul, through his two subordinates, allegedly extorted his employees by requiring to pay a deposit every month. The nominal varies between 4,000-10,000 US 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.