SYL Promises To Cooperatively Undergo Legal Process: I'm A Bugis, Self-esteem Is Higher Than A Position

Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo. (doc the Ministry of Agriculture)

JAKARTA - Syahrul Yasin Limpo ensures that he will cooperate in following the legal process of the alleged corruption case of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) that ensnared him. He has also submitted a letter of resignation as Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

"I am Bugis, Makassar and it feels like self-esteem is much higher than my rank or position. Let me face this," Syahrul told reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, October 5.

"Give me the opportunity to prove that I'm used to taking care of the people," he continued.

Syahrul stated that his resignation letter as Minister of Agriculture had been received by Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Pratikno. He asked the public to monitor the ongoing legal process.

"I hope there is no stigma and perception of innocence, meaning to judge me first," said the NasDem Party politician.

As previously reported, Syahrul is reportedly a suspect in alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture which is being investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). He was appointed along with two of his subordinates, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and Director of Agricultural Equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta.

In investigating this case, the anti-corruption commission has conducted a search. At the official residence of Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, investigators found Rp30 billion in cash consisting of rupiah denominations and foreign currencies and firearms.

Then, the search was continued at the Ministry of Agriculture's Office. As a result, documents related to the corruption case were found.

Most recently, investigators also visited Hatta's house in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta. From the forced effort, Rp400 million was found.

Next, the KPK searched the private house of the Minister of Agriculture in Makassar, South Sulawesi. At the last location, the KPK confiscated an Audi-branded sedan and obtained other evidence in the form of documents.

The findings obtained from the search are now being analyzed and confiscation will be carried out. Meanwhile, the findings of firearms were handed over to the police for follow-up.