SYL Extortion Case Witness Calls KPK BAP Leaked To Ministry Of Agriculture Officials

The Corruption Court of the Central Jakarta District Court (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Merdian Tri Hadi, said that the investigation report (BAP) was leaked to the defendants in cases of alleged extortion and gratification.

He conveyed this when he was a witness in the alleged extortion and gratification case with the defendants Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Muhammad Hatta, and Kasdi Subagyono.

Starting from Chief Judge Rianto Adam Pontoh who mentioned about Merdian who got it from LPSK.

"Are you threatening your brother personally or family?" asked Judge Rianto during a trial at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Wednesday, April 24.

"Please allow me to explain a little, Your Majesty, first, from the start of this process in the investigation, I have started to feel pressured," replied Merdian.

"Who put pressure on you?" said Judge Rianto.

At that time, Merdian said he had been under pressure since the alleged extortion and gratification case was investigated by the KPK. This is because the BAP was leaked to Muhammad Hatta, and Kasdi Subagyono, who at that time was not a suspect.

"Because my investigation BAP was leaked, Your Majesty, my investigation BAP was at the KPK," said Merdian.

"Who did the witness's examination report leak to?" asked Judge Rianto.

"Pak Muhammad Hatta brought it," replied Merdian.

Judge Rianto emphasized Merdian's answer about the leak of the KPK BAP. Questioned about the knowledge of the former secretary-general of the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the figure who leaked it.

Merdian said he didn't know about it. However, he admitted that Muhammad Hatta had shown him the BAP.

"Pak Muhammad Hatta took it to the Secretary General," said Merdian.

"So you know that your BAP was leaked called by the Secretary-General?" said Judge Rianto.

"Pak Hatta came to the Secretary General's room, I was called to the room. There were three of them with me, they were shown a copy," said Merdian.

Meanwhile, in the case of alleged extortion and gratification, Syahrul Yasin Limpo was charged with extortion of up to Rp44.5 billion during 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. In addition, he was also charged with receiving gratuities of Rp40.6 billion from January 2020 to October 2023.