Minister Of Agriculture SYL Lost Contact In Europe, Jokowi: Just Wait

President Jokowi gave a press statement after attending the opening of Inacraft in Jakarta, Wednesday (4/10/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked all parties to wait for the arrival of the Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo to return to the country after making a working visit to Europe.

"Yes, wait, he is leaving (abroad), he has not yet arrived in Indonesia," said Jokowi after attending the opening of Inacraft in Jakarta, Wednesday, October 4.

Jokowi also asked about the news that Syahrul Yasin Limpo, who was suspected of being involved in an alleged corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture, had lost contact.

"Who lost contact? Who? Just try to get in contact, can you. Does someone have his phone number or not? Try to get into contact," said Jokowi.

He again asked the media crew to wait for the arrival of Syahrul Yasin Limpo in Indonesia.

"Yes, wait for it later. Indeed (Syahrul Yasin Limpo) from abroad (neighbourhood) has not yet reached the country," he added.

When asked about Syahrul Yasin Limpo's current position, Jokowi said as president he did not need to know at any time the minister's location.

"Yes, where is the position (minister), the president is told (to) know. How are you?" Jokowi said.

Jokowi was also reluctant to respond to the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle amid the investigation into the alleged corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Previously, Tuesday (4/10), Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) Harvick Hasnul Qolbi revealed that his party and the ranks of the Ministry of Agriculture had lost contact with Syahrul Yasin Limpo since Saturday (30/9), at which time was the return schedule from his working visit as Minister of Agriculture in Italy and Spain.

Until now, the whereabouts of Syahrul Yasin Limpo are still being sought. So, Jokowi also appointed Harvick as Minister of Agriculture Ad interim starting Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Director General (Dirjen) of Immigration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) Silmy Karim said Syahrul Yasin Limpo had not been monitored back to Indonesia based on the immigration system.

Based on the Immigration information system, Syahrul Yasin Limpo was recorded to have left Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Cengkareng, Banten, on September 24, 2023, heading to Doha, Qatar, in transit before heading to Rome, Italy.

Syahrul Yasin Limpo is scheduled to return from Europe on September 30, 2023 and arrive in Indonesia on October 1, 2023.

Syahrul Yasin Limpo is also not certain to be included in the wanted list (DPO). Until now, the KPK has not provided an official notification regarding the investigation process of the alleged corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture involving Syahrul Yasin Limpo.