Firli Claims Only To Know Syahrul Yasin Limpo At The Ministry Of Agriculture: No One Under Officer Knows

KPK chairman Firli Bahuri (center) press conference at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, October 5. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri claims he does not know any of the staff or officials under the Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo. He only knows the NasDem Party politician.

This was conveyed by Firli in response to the issue that he extorted or received Rp1 billion in Singapore dollar denominations related to the corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture. In this case, Syahrul is said to be entangled with two of his subordinates, namely the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono and the Director of Agricultural Equipment of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta.

"Officials under the minister, I don't anyone know," Firli told reporters at the KPK's Red and White Building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Thursday, October 5.

Meanwhile, with Syahrul, Firli admitted that he only met during limited meetings or ministry activities.

"Even at that time I always talked to the ministers before the parpiurna cabinet meeting was taken photos of him," he said.

"So I make sure that we have never had a relationship with the parties, let alone asked for something or called extortion. I said it was never done as alleged," continued Firli.

Previously reported, the examination letter numbered B/10339/VIII/Res.3.3./2023/Ditreskrimsus whose contents summoned the Syahrul driver, Heri related to the investigation into alleged extortion by the KPK leadership was widely circulated. In fact, the anti-corruption commission is investigating allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Syahrul also visited the Polda Metro Jaya on Thursday, October 5. For more than three hours, he admitted that he was asked about the investigation into the alleged extortion.

"Everything I know I have said and I openly convey what investigators need, faced by a lot earlier, and the process lasted for almost three hours. I am very tired, while I just returned home," said Yasin Limpo at NasDem Tower, Jakarta, Thursday, October 5 evening.

This NasDem Party politician did not reveal in detail the extortion in question. Syahrul only said that the police asked for information from him regarding public complaints on August 12, 2023.