SYL Orders Secretary General To Direct Ministry Of Agriculture Employees To Open To KPK

Syahrul Yasin Limpo/PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

JAKARTA - Former Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) Kasdi Subagyono said that Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL had ordered or briefing the Ministry of Agriculture employees to provide minimal testimony when examined by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

This confession was conveyed when Kasdi said that SYL had conveyed that the KPK was investigating the problems that occurred at the Ministry of Agriculture.

"Has the minister ever not come to you, 'Eh, we are still investigating this?" asked Chief Judge Rianto Adam Pontoh during a trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Wednesday, June 19.

"Yes, that's right," replied Kasdi.

"Ever?" asked Judge Rianto assert.

"Never said it," said Kasdi.

Kasdi was asked to convey what SYL said at that time. The former secretary general of the Ministry of Agriculture said SYL asked him to direct the Ministry of Agriculture employees who would be questioned by the KPK.

"What was conveyed?" asked Judge Rianto.

"At that time, 'Pak Sekjen please friends who were called by the KPK,' I was ordered to be able to define those people who have been summoned," replied Kasdi.

"What is the briefing like?" asked Judge Rianto.

"Just explaining it normatively, that's what I received from him and I conveyed it and at that time it was not me but also Pak Hatta at that time to define it," said Kasdi.

"Is there anything from the Minister revealed how we can cover this up?" asked Judge Rianto.

"The narrative is not like that," replied Kasdi.

"What is the narrative like?" said Judge Rianto.

"The narrative is all, 'Mr. Secretary General conveys to friends just to convey normative, there is no need for details'," said Kasdi.

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.