The House Of SYL's Subordinates Confiscated By The KPK, Allegedly Purchased Using Joint Money For Ministry Of Agriculture Officials

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

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) confiscated a luxury house in West Bacukiki District, Parepare City, South Sulawesi (Sulsel) which allegedly belonged to the inactive Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) Muhammad Hatta on Sunday, May 18.

Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri said this forced attempt was related to the alleged money laundering crime (TPPU) that ensnared former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo. Investigators have installed a confiscation sign.

"The investigative team has finished confiscation of a plot of land and a building on it which is located at Jalan Line Two, Bumi Harapan Village, West Bacukiki District, Pare-pare, South Sulawesi Province," said Ali Fikri in a written statement, Monday, May 20.

Ali said the purchase of the house used the money from the joint venture of officials at the Ministry of Agriculture. "The house is suspected to have something to do with the alleged money laundering offenses from the SYL suspect, MH, as one of the confidants of the suspect," he said.

When the house was confiscated, it was occupied by someone close to Hatta. But it was not specified who.

Ali only said that the confiscation process was in accordance with the rules. "Local environmental officials were also involved to be witnesses during the activity," he said.

Furthermore, investigators will immediately confirm the findings that have been confiscated. SYL as a suspect will be asked about the house.

"The investigative team will immediately confirm the findings with the parties summoned as witnesses and also suspects," Ali explained.

Previously reported, the KPK named Syahrul Yasin Limpo, the former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) as a suspect in the alleged crime of money laundering (TPPU). This step was taken after he was caught in an alleged extortion and acceptance of gratuities.

The case of extortion and acceptance of gratuities that ensnared Syahrul is currently being tried at the Jakarta Corruption Court. He 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 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.