Firli Bahuri Asks SYL For IDR 50 Billion To Handle Cases At The KPK

Former SYL aide, Panji Hartanto, who was presented as a witness at the Corruption Court (DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri is said to have asked the former Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) for Rp50 billion. This fact was revealed based on the testimony of former SYL aide, Panji Hartanto, who was presented as a witness in the trial of the alleged extortion and extortion case at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Wednesday, April 17. It started when the Public Prosecutor (JPU) read out the Minutes of Investigation (BAP) number 34. Where, it was stated that Panji knew Firli Bahuri had asked SYL for Rp50 billion. Panji agreed and said he was aware of a request based on information from SYL who was talking to the former Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery of the Ministry of Agriculture, Muhammad Hatta, in his office. At that time, Syahrul Yasin Limpo said there was a request for Rp 50 billion from Firli Bahuri,” said the prosecutor read out the Panji BAP. However, Panji did not know in detail the designation of the request for money. Because, when he heard the conversation, he immediately left the room. "But after hearing those words, because I felt it was a secret conversation, so I left the room," continued the prosecutor reading out Panji's BAP. “Sepatahuan Anda, apakah ada informasi-informasi, karena Saudara itu adjutant ya, bahwa Syahrul Yasin Limpo sendiri mengumukan hal-hal terkait dengan adanya informasi mengenai permintaan uang ini adalah terkait dengan apa?” tanya jaksa. "There is a problem at the KPK," said Panji Then, the prosecutor questioned Panji about where he knew about the problems being handled by the KPK. Where do you know “ Where do you know? ” ask the prosecutor again. “ At that time, echelon one was collected at Wican (Widya Chandra). There is an investigation letter, "” said Panji. Syahrul Yasin Limpo was charged with extortion of up to Rp44.5 billion in the 2020-2023 period. This action was carried out together with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and the Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery of the Directorate General of Infrastructure and Facilities of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta. This money was then used for the benefit of Syahrul's wife and family, invited gifts, the NasDem Party, religious events, aircraft charters to Umrah and sacrifices. Then, he was also charged with receiving gratuities of Rp40.6 M from January 2020 to October 2023.

In addition, he was again named a suspect in the crime of money laundering (TPPU). This effort was made after investigators developed allegations of corruption that was being tried.