Witness Disbursed About Request To Build Cafes For SYL's Grandchildren At The Ministry Of Agriculture

The defendant in the bribery and gratification case Syahrul Yasin Limpo at the trial (Rizky AP/VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Head of the General Bureau Procurement Subdivision at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan), Abdul Hafidh, said there was a request for money for the manufacture of cafes for Syahrul Yasin Limpo's grandson or SYL.

This statement was made by Abdul Hafidh when he was a witness for the defendants Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL, Kasdi Subagyono, and Muhammad Hatta, at the trial of the alleged extortion and gratification case at the Ministry of Agriculture, Monday, April 29.

"Then regarding the requests of his grandson, Tenri Bilang Radisyah yes, what is all this about making a cafe?" asked Member Judge Ida Ayu Mustikawati.

"Ask that the direction at that time be directed by the head of the bureau, Your Majesty, to prepare a cafe in the Ministry of Agriculture, Your Honor," replied Hafidh.

The construction of the cafe is said to have been realized. The money used comes from the Director General of Food Crops.

"Yes, it has been prepared, yesterday until then, the last stage we did not continue because his Majesty had moved it, but had time to carry out it initially, we made a cafe, Your Majesty," replied Hafidh.

"Furthermore, that's a few times?" asked Judge Ida.

"That's the budget if I'm not mistaken, it's from food crops, Your Honor," replied Hafidh.

Not only that, Hafidh also conveyed that there was a routine payment to Tenri Bilang Radisyah. The gift was given when SYL's grandson came to the Ministry of Agriculture. The source of the money came from a joint venture of Echelon I officials.

However, it is said that the gift is not routine. Only when there is a request.

"How much do you love your salary? Can you give it from sharing money too? Or where did that come from?" asked Judge Ida.

"Yes, from Your Majesty's sharing, the same as Your Majesty's loan," replied Hafidh.

"From sharing and loans, you give each time you come to the office. How often does your grandson come to the office?" said Judge Ida.

"Not every time, it's just a need, Your Majesty," replied Hafidh.

"On request?" asked Judge Ida.

"Yes, it doesn't come every day or every time you come you are given," replied Hafidh.

"Ask your brother directly or what?" said Judge Ida.

"No, that's still a fixed direction from the superior," replied Hafidh.

The request was not directly from Tentri. Instead, the direction given by the Head of Bureau to him.

"The directive from?" asked the judge.

"The head of the bureau, we are tiered, we don't immediately give it. The direction is called the Head of Bureau, please prepare it, we prepare it, then we will direct it to our friends, bring Mr. Gempur or Mr. Isnar to prepare it," said Hafidh.

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.