Former KPK Spokesperson Claims To Receive Rp800 Million Honorary Defending SYL

Former KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah (Rizky AP/VOI)

JAKARTA - Former spokesman for the Corruption Eradication Commission or the KPK, Febri Diansyah, admitted that he received an honorarium of Rp800 million to defend the former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan), Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL, facing cases of alleged extortion and acceptance of gratuities. It started when Judge Fahzal Hendri questioned the honorarium obtained as SYL's attorney. However, Febri did not immediately convey it by mentioning the acceptance of this honorarium referring to Article 21 of the Advocate Law "Our honorarium is for Your Majesty, the permit to explain. One, at the investigation stage we received this honorarium referring to Article 21 of the Advocate Law based on the agreement at that time," Febri said during a trial at the Corruption Court at the Central Jakarta District Court, Monday, May 3. Hearing this, Judge Fahzal also mentioned Article 165 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Where, the panel of judges is allowed to ask any witnesses in the trial. "How much is the value?" asked the judge. "Is it correct for me to say here, Your Majesty?" said Febri. Until finally, Febri said the honorarium he got was IDR 800 million. He said the honorarium was for three clients, namely SYL, Kasdi Subagyono and Muhammad Hatta. "At that time, at the investigation stage, the total agreed was Rp. 800 million," replied Febri. "For 8 people?" asked the judge. "Our team has 8 for 3 His Majesty's clients," replied Febri. "Rp 800 million?" asked the judge. "At the investigation stage," replied Febri. In this case, SYL 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.