After Being Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison, SYL: This Is Not A Project, Not A Permit To Import Hundreds Of Billions

The convict former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL after undergoing a court verdict against him at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday, July 11. (Rizky A-VOI)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL said the case that ensnared him was not a criminal act of corruption such as an import permit or project sharing.

According to him, the Public Prosecutor (JPU) actually linked it to the purchase of goods whose source of money was not from the proceeds of corruption.

"I remind you that this is not a project, these are not recommendations and import permits which are hundreds of trillions, if I want corruption, this is not it, what is withdrawn is skincare, what is withdrawn is the purchase of perfume and others," said SYL after undergoing a verdict reading session at the Jakarta Corruption Court, Thursday, July 11.

SYL stated that he had never held or received the money stated in the indictment directly.

The former Minister of Agriculture also emphasized that all payments by his subordinates were in accordance with existing regulations.

"I have never received or held money that is alleged to be paid for myself. This money is someone else who pays and processes according to the existing SOP," he said.

Apart from that, SYL hopes that the case involving him will not make state officials afraid to take policies.

This is because the policies he takes are undeniable to be very high risk. However, everything is for the benefit of the Indonesian people.

"Hopefully there will be no officials who are afraid to take policies for the benefit of the people and the nation only because of my problems. Maybe I am wrong, but all for the sake of the nation, for the sake of the country, for the benefit of the people," he said.

"You tried me when Indonesia was normal, you didn't see how Indonesia was at the time of the existing food vulnerability," continued SYL.

SYL was found guilty in the case of extortion and acceptance of gratuities within the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). Thus, the panel of judges sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Not only prison witnesses, but the panel of judges also imposed a fine of Rp. 300 million. If SYL does not have the ability, it will be replaced with imprisonment for 4 months.

SYL is believed to have violated Article 12 letter e in conjunction with Article 18 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 31 of 1999 concerning 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