Ministry Of Agriculture Corruption Trial, Prosecutors Answer SYL's Defense Today

Terdawa Kasus Korupsi Kementan Syahrul Yasin Limpo (Rizky AP/VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL will undergo a follow-up trial in the alleged extortion and acceptance of gratuities within the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) today. The agenda is the reading of the replica by the Public Prosecutor (JPU).

Replik is the answer to the defendant's defense or plea regarding a lawsuit in a case.

"We will give you the opportunity to compile a replica against the pledoi on Monday, the 8th," said Chief Judge Rianto Adam Pontoh during the trial, Friday, July 5.

The trial with a replica agenda, is planned to be held this afternoon. This is because the panel of judges has other activities.

"It could be Monday at 2-3 pm. So on Tuesday, we will be given the opportunity to duplicate around 2-3 o'clock. The time consistency is set," said Judge Rianto.

Meanwhile, the duplicate or opportunity for the defendants' camp will be held the day after tomorrow or July 9.

The trial process was rushed because the panel of judges had scheduled the reading of the verdict for Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL, Kasdi Subagyono, and Muhammad Hatta to be held Thursday, July 11.

"We have decided that the trial will be decided on Thursday 11th," said Judge Rianto.

Syahrul Yasin Limpo emphasized that he had never blackmailed while serving at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). Instead, he called his subordinates looking for face.

This was conveyed by Syahrul when reading the memorandum of defense or pledoi in the trial of alleged extortion and gratification at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Friday, July 5.

I never did this extortion. There are many ways that Ministry of Agriculture personnel take an approach, one of which is through a 'kitchen' which says'safe' by serving my family as if it is part of the rights and facilities of a Minister and his family in the hope that his position is safe and even rising," said Syahrul in front of the panel of judges.

However, Syahrul said that his condition was reversed after he was caught in the anti-corruption commission and tried. As if he was the one who asked for all the money and facilities.

Therefore, Syahrul considered the indictments and demands of the KPK Public Prosecutor (JPU) to be very cruel. Moreover, it does not match the actual facts.

"For me, these are very cruel and perhaps tendentious charges and demands," he said.

In the case of extortion and gratification, Syahrul was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of Rp. 500 million, subsidiary to 6 months in prison. He was also asked to pay compensation of around Rp. 44 billion and US$ 30 thousand.

The claim was given because the prosecutor believed that SYL violated Article 12 letter e in conjunction with Article 18 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 31 of 1999 concerning the Eradication of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st Criminal Code (KUHP) in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.