Facts About The SYL Trial, NasDem Internal Events Use Ministry Of Agriculture Money

The defendant in the Corruption Case of the Ministry of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo at the trial (Rizky AP/VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy General Treasurer of the NasDem Party, Joice Triatman revealed that the internal event of submitting the NasDem DPR leg form to the KPU in 2023 used funds from the Ministry of Agriculture.

He conveyed this when he was a witness in the trial with the defendant, namely former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo alias SYL, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono, and former Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Muhammad Hatta.

Initially, Chief Judge Rianto Adam Pontoh asked Joice regarding the receipt of money sourced from the Ministry of Agriculture to the NasDem Party. Joice then admitted that there was a flow of funds to NasDem at SYL's direction.

"I received an order from the Minister to coordinate for the funding case for an event in the NasDem Party in the context of submitting the DPR's leg form to the KPU Building," said Joice while testifying at the trial at the Corruption Court, Central Jakarta, Monday, May 27.

Joice explained that he was directed by SYL to meet with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and the defendant Kasdi Subagyono.

To Kasdi, he asked for money worth Rp. 1 billion in accordance with the needs of the NasDem Party's budget plan (RAP).

"I was ordered by the Minister to coordinate with the Secretary General," explained Joice.

"How much is the budget?" asked the judge.

"Initial budget as far as I remember is more than IDR 1 billion," asked Hakim.

Joice explained that the initial budget of Rp. 1 billion needed by Nasdem was considered too large by Kasdi. So that the Ministry of Agriculture does not accept it.

"What was budgeted at the beginning was Rp. 1 billion and then I forwarded it to Mr. Kasdi, Mr. Kasdi spoke too high, did not accept the nominal," explained Joice.

"Kasdi objected that this was mostly, then what?" asked the judge.

"Until it was agreed Rp. 850 million," answered Joice.

"Can you talk?" asked the judge.

"No, just once," replied Joy.

"Finally, from IDR 1 billion it fell to IDR 850 million," asked Hakim.

"That's right, Your Majesty," replied Joice.

Joice explained that after the request for funds was approved, Kasdi asked for further coordination to be carried out by each private secretary (sespri), namely Yuli Eti Ningsih and Merdian Tri Hadi.

Joice said the funds had been collected for two weeks since the NasDem RAB was approved. He did not know where the funds came from.

However, he ensured that the NasDem DPP management knew about the flow of funds, one of which was the Secretary General of Nasdem Hermawi Taslim.

"Do you know where the source of the Rp 850 million came from?" asked Hakim.

"Don't know, what is clear is from the Ministry of Agriculture," answered Joice.

"Do the Nasdem party officials know about the money?" asked the judge.

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied Joy.

"Who is the manager," asked the Judge.

"Yes, Mr. Secretary General Hermawi Taslim knows," said Joice.

"You know? Money from the Ministry?" asked the Judge.

"Yes" replied Joice.

"Knowing, so the Nasdem Party really benefits from it?" asked Hakim.

"Yes, Your permission, Your Honor, my task is only to be ordered like that, I am only carrying out orders from the minister like that," answered Joice.

"As far as you know, the Rp. 850 million money, where did SYL's personal money come from?" asked Hakim.

"I don't know, Your Majesty's permission," answered Joice.

It is known that SYL stumbled upon allegations of extortion, gratification, and money laundering offenses. The SYL extortion and gratification case is already at the trial stage, while the money laundering offense is still under investigation by the KPK.

The KPK prosecutor charged SYL with extorting his subordinates and receiving gratuities of up to Rp. 44.5 billion while occupying the position of minister.

This tens of billions of money is used for SYL's personal interests and his family. Some of them were revealed for invited gifts, the Nasdem Party, religious events, aircraft leases, natural disaster assistance, overseas needs, Umrah, and sacrifices.