NasDem Tower Accountant Only Receives IDR 800 Million From The Ministry Of Agriculture, Judge: Someone Is Playing 'Defend'

The trial of examining witnesses in the case of extortion and gratification of the Ministry of Agriculture at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Monday (27/5/2024). ANTARA/Agatha Olivia Victoria

JAKARTA - The NasDem Tower account, Lena Janti Susilo, said that he only received Rp800 million from the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) regarding the financing of the event for the NasDem Party's legislative candidate (bacaleg).

He made this statement when he was a witness in the trial of the alleged extortion and acceptance of gratuities for the defendants Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL), Kasdi Subagyono, and Muhammad Hatta.

"Earlier it was explained, regarding the handover of Rp850 million from the Ministry of Agriculture. The handover was at NasDem Tower. Did you hear that?" asked Judge Rianto during a trial at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Monday, May 27.

"I know. But what we received was only 800 Your Majesty," Lena replied.

Hearing this statement, Chief Justice Rianto Adam Pontoh was surprised. Because, based on the testimony of witness former Special Staff (Stafsus) Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL, Joice Triatman, who said the handover of the money was Rp. 850 million.

Therefore, it is suspected that there were parties who played 'cheap' regarding the money. This is because the value submitted and accepted is different.

"It means that there is a magic of Rp. 50 million. Someone is playing magic because from the ministry it is Rp. 850 (million), right? Is someone playing magic to Rp. 800 (million) is that the record?" said Judge Rianto.

"Catat," said Lena.

"The importance of the money, do you know that the NasDem Party has carried out activities as explained earlier?" asked Judge Rianto asserted.

"That's right, Your Majesty, there are activities," said Lena.

SYL was charged with extortion and received gratuities totaling Rp44.5 billion in cases of alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture in the period 2020 to 2023.

The extortion was carried out with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture for the 2021 period, Kasdi Subagyono, and the Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery of the Ministry of Agriculture in 2023 Muhammad Hatta, who was also a defendant.

The two of them are coordinators of collecting money from echelon I officials and their staff, including to pay SYL's personal needs.