KPK Finds Out Budget For Ex-Minister Of Agriculture SYL Through 2 Aides

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has examined two aides to former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Panji Harjanto and Ubaidah Nabhan. Both were asked about the official budget of NasDem Party politicians while on duty.

"It was also confirmed regarding the budget post that covered the official activities," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri to reporters, Tuesday, October 17.

In addition, SYL's two aides in the examination on Monday, October 16, were also asked by investigators about Syahrul's activities while serving. They are considered to know this so the information is needed.

As previously reported, Syahrul was officially detained after being arrested in an apartment in the Kebayoran Baru area, Jakarta. The NasDem Party politician was caught in three articles, namely extortion related to the position, acceptance of gratuities, and money laundering.

In this case, SYL is called the KPK extorts its employees by requiring to pay monthly deposits with the help of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and the Director of Agricultural Equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta. The nominal that is set by Syahrul and must be deposited by echelon I-II employees is around 4,000-10,000 US dollars.

It is believed that the money collected does not only come from the realization of the Ministry of Agriculture's budget inflated or mark-ups but from vendors working on projects. The money is given in cash, transfers or goods.

The KPK then suspected that the money Syahrul received was used for various personal interests. Starting from Umrah with other Ministry of Agriculture employees, buying cars, repairing houses to flowing to the NasDem Party with a value of up to billions of rupiah.