KPK Investigate State Losses After SYL Used Ministry Of Agriculture Money For Foya-foya

Former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL). (ANTARA)

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has the opportunity to investigate allegations of state financial losses related to allegations of corruption that ensnared former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo.

This was conveyed by the Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri in response to a number of ministry budgets which turned out to be enjoyed for Syahrul's personal interests.

This fact was revealed in the trial of alleged extortion and gratification with one of the defendants Syahrul Yasin Limpo.

"Surely we will develop further, whether it only stops at extortion in the position or bribery of gratuities or money laundering or other use of other budgets sourced from the state budget, for example, for personal or family interests," Ali said as quoted on Friday, May 3.

"So of course this can be related to Article 2 or Article 3 (the Corruption Law, ed) which means there is potential for state financial losses," he continued.

Even so, Ali said this potential will be analyzed again after the SYL trial process is complete. This is because the public prosecutor (JPU) is still focused on proving the charges of extortion and gratification.

"Fakta ketika kemudian ada dana-dana yang lain, dana operasional atau yang bersumber dari APBN tentu di sinilah yang menarik. Kami sempat membahaskan terkait fakta ini sehingga ke depan tentu tim jaksa saya kira juga aktif menyampaikan di persidangan fakta-fakta (yang ada, red). Termasuk menghadirkan saksi-saksi penting, jelas Ali.

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, NasDem Party, religious events, aircraft charters to Umrah and sacrifice.

In addition, he was also charged with receiving gratuities of Rp40.6 M from January 2020 to October 2023.