Alexander Marwata Denies Calling SYL: I Don't Have A Case Ministry Of Agriculture Official Number

Deputy Chairperson Of The KPK Alexander Marwata/DOK PHOTO: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Alexander Marwata denied ever contacting former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo and other Ministry of Agriculture officials.

Alexander made a statement when asked about his name that appeared at the trial of alleged extortion and gratification with the defendant Syahrul Yasin Limpo today. Alexander even claimed that someone else used his photo.

"The WA conversation between the Minister of Agriculture and someone who used my profile photo, is likely to take my photo from Google," Alexander said when confirmed by reporters, Wednesday, June 19.

Alexander made sure he never contacted the litigants, including the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). "I never had and stored the cellphone number of the Minister of Agriculture or the Ministry of Agriculture official who is currently in court at the corruption court," he said.

"I have been clarified by the Council and so far there is no evidence that I communicated with the Minister of Agriculture or the Ministry of Agriculture officials who are currently litigating," continued Alexander.

As previously reported, KPK Deputy Chair Alexander Marwata had contacted Syahrul Yasin Limpo or while still serving as Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) to request a program in his hometown in Klaten, Central Java. This was conveyed by the former Secretary General (Secretary General) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Kasdi Subagyono, who was a witness to the crown for SYL and former Director of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery (Alsintan) Muhammad Hatta during the trial.

It started when Chief Judge Rianto Adam Pontoh questioned whether there was an introduction to one of the KPK's top brass. Kasdi at that time said that he personally never knew the anti-corruption agency officials.

However, Kasdi said that investigators had conveyed a history of communication between SYL and one of the KPK leaders.

"Did you hear or then the minister then had contact with one of the KPK officials? The KPK leadership?" asked Judge Rianto during a trial at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Wednesday, June 19.

"I wasn't there, at that time there was a chat but it wasn't that. There was a chat he had, the investigators told me, there was a chat on the minister's cellphone later," said Kasdi.

"Who is the chat between whom?" asked Judge Rianto to make sure.

"Between the minister and one of the KPK leaders," replied Kasdi.

"What's his name?" said Judge Rianto.

"At that time it was Mr. Alex Marwata," said Kasdi.