Facts Of The Trial, SYL Children Pay Canteen Rentals Using Ministry Of Agriculture Money

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

JAKARTA - Former Head of the Public Bureau Procurement Subdivision at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan), Abdul Hafidh, stated that Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL's son, Indira Chunda Thita, opened a canteen business where the payment of rent bills was charged to the Ministry of Agriculture.

This was revealed based on Abdul Hafidh's statement in the examination report (BAP) read by the public prosecutor (JPU) in the trial of the alleged extortion and gratification case at the Ministry of Agriculture, Monday, April 29.

"Earlier, the witness also mentioned, at the panel of judges' questions, there was for his son, the Minister, including Indira Chunda Thita, Kemal Redindo and his grandson. It was mentioned that there was also for the canteen as stated by the witness. Please, Your Honor's permission, in BAP No. 20 Your Majesty, 'That the needs of Syahrul Yasin Limpo's family, which I know are for Indira Chunda Thita's sister, son of Syahrul Yasin Limpo, the first point. Canteen at the Ministry of Agriculture is used by Indira to try but who pays the entrance lease. PNPB is us right? " asked the prosecutor after reading the BAP

"Ready," replied Hafidh.

Then, the prosecutor questioned the costs incurred to pay the canteen rental. Hafidh replied that the Ministry of Agriculture had to spend IDR 1.8 million per month.

"How much is this rent that you pay? How much rent do you pay for the witness?" asked the prosecutor.

"It will be Rp 1.8 million a month if I'm not mistaken," replied Hafidh.

However, Hafidh said the General Bureau did not pay the canteen rental fee. The arrears of the funeral were also found in the Inspectorate General of the Ministry of Agriculture.

"So the term arrears?" asked the prosecutor.

"Yes, the findings will be at the Inspector General," replied Hafidh.

"There are findings, that must be paid?" asked the prosecutor.

"Yes," 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.