Deputy Chairperson Of The KPK Alexander Marwata Reveals There Are 3 Clusters In The Ministry Of Agriculture Case, Anything?

Deputy Chairperson Of The KPK Alexander Marwata/PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata revealed that there are three clusters in the corruption of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). The three of them will be a priority to be investigated in the future.

There are actually three clusters that have been reported by the public. There are (procurement, red) cows, horticulture, and extortion that have gone up," Alexander told reporters at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Monday, November 27.

"Of the three clusters, investigators are investigating the extortion cluster that recently ensnared former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo. Meanwhile, another has just issued a warrant for the start of the investigation (sprinlidik)," said Alexander.

However, Alexander did not specify which clusters were published. "Regarding who it is, we are still in the process of being investigated," he said.

"Of course I will not say. We are still looking, investigators are still looking for criminal events that have not touched the person suspected of being the perpetrator," continued Alexander.

All announcements regarding cases at the Ministry of Agriculture will only be made after going up to investigation. At that time, forced detention efforts were usually carried out for the needs of investigating cases.

When sufficient evidence is found, the investigation will expose the leadership. So that's all, it doesn't mention who is reported. It will be investigated later in the investigation process," said Alexander.

Previously reported, the KPK suspected that Syahrul had blackmailed his employees by requiring to pay monthly deposits with the help of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and the Director of Agricultural Equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta. The nominal that is pegged and must be deposited by echelon I-II employees is around 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.

The KPK then suspected that the money Syahrul received was used for various personal interests. Starting from Umrah with other Ministry of Agriculture employees, buying cars, repairing houses to flowing to the NasDem Party with a value of up to billions of rupiah.