SYL Proposes Suspension Of Detention: Lungs Only Half

Syahrul Yasin Limpo/PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) proposed a suspension of detention to the panel of judges. The reason is because of his health condition.

The request was submitted by SYL's lawyer after the prosecutor finished reading the indictment. He explained that SYL needed open air because his lungs were only half left.

"To convey the request for a suspension of detention, the reasons for the request for a suspension of detention include the first, Mr. Syahrul, he is 69 years old and his lungs have been taken half and he needs open air," said SYL's lawyer during a trial at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Wednesday, February 28.

However, it was not conveyed further what caused SYL's condition to be like that. It is only emphasized that medical examinations must be carried out at the hospital every week

"So far he has been sick and every week he has to check up at the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital in Jakarta," he said

Responding to the petition, Chief Justice Rianto Adam Pontoh invited SYL's legal adviser to submit the request. The panel of judges is said to be considering it first.

"Please convey your request, we will study it and we will discuss it," said Judge Pontoh.

Syahrul Yasin Limpo was charged with extortion by withdrawing contributions to echelon one officials at the Ministry of Agriculture from 2020 to 2023. The total reached Rp44.5 billion.

SYL did not immediately withdraw the contributions to the Ministry of Agriculture echelon officials. Rather, through his trusted people.

They are Imam Mujahidin Fahmid as the Special Staff of the Minister of Agriculture, Kasdi Subagyono who was the Director General of Plantation for the 2020 period, Muhammad Hatta, who at that time served as Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery, and Panji Harjanto as SYL's aide.

The order to withdraw the contributions was conveyed by SYL to his trusted people when he was in his room around the beginning of 2020.

"The defendant also conveyed that there was a 20 percent share of the budget in each sector, directorate, and agency at the Ministry of Agriculture which must be given to the defendant," said the prosecutor.

In fact, Syahrul Yasin Limpo is said to have threatened his staff. If someone does not deposit money or obeys his request it will lose their position.

"The defendant also conveyed to the ranks under the defendant that if echelon I officials could not fulfill the defendant's request, his position was in danger, he could be transferred or dismissed by the defendant," he said.

"And if there are officials who are not in line with what the defendant said, they should resign from their positions," continued the prosecutor.

Not only that, the Public Prosecutor (JPU) also charged SYL with alleged receipt of gratuities worth Rp40.6 billion.

The value of receiving gratuities is money that SYL has used for personal and family interests from January 2020 to October 2023.

The money came from forced withdrawal of contributions to echelon one officials at the Ministry of Agriculture in the amount of Rp44.5 billion.

Syahrul Yasin Limpo uses the contribution money for the needs of his wife and family, invited gifts, aircraft charters, natural disaster or basic necessities, going abroad, Umrah, and sacrificing.

"The receipt of money, goods and payments for the personal needs of the defendant and his family has never been reported to the KPK within 30 working days of being received," he said.

Syahrul Yasin Limpo was charged with violating Article 12 letter e and Article 12 letter B Juncto Article 18 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning Eradication of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 Paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code (KUHP) Juncto Article 64 Paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.