SYL Asks To Be Released After Being Charged With Extortion Of IDR 44.5 Billion And Receiving Gratification Of IDR 40.6 Billion

Former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) accompanied by his attorney, Djamaludin at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Wednesday, March 13. (Rizky A-VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL asked the panel of judges to release him from detention in the alleged extortion and or receipt of gratuities worth Rp44 billion.

The request was submitted by SYL through his legal advisor when reading the objection or exception note at the trial at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court.

"We appeal before the Panel of Judges who tried this case, I hope it is willing to pass an interim decision which is also the final decision, ordering the defendant Syahrul Yasin Limpo to be released from detention immediately after this decision was pronounced," said SYL's legal adviser, Djamaludin Koedoeboen, Wednesday, March 13.

The request was made because the SYL camp assessed that the indictment prepared by the public prosecutor (JPU) was not careful and even fled. Thus, the panel of judges must declare the indictment null and void.

"There are legal processes that are not true and are contrary to criminal procedural law, coupled with the public prosecutor's indictment which is made inappropriately, unclear or vague and incomplete," he said.

On the other hand, Djamaludin alluded to his client who had served the country. Starting from the Lurah, Camat, Regent, Governor to Minister of Agriculture, SYL has served.

In fact, his client is said to have received various awards, one of which is the Best LHKPN Management Award from the KPK for the 2019 period.

"Hundreds of awards and honors have been given by the state to him as an award to him," he said.

"This includes an award from the KPK institution which is now demanding it," continued Djamaludin.

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. Covering money is done through his trusted people.

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

Not only extortion against para, SYL was also charged with receiving gratuities worth Rp40.6 billion.

"The defendant received money and payments for personal needs and the defendant's family totaling Rp40,647,444,494," said the prosecutor.

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

In this case, 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.