Denies Getting Leaks From The KPK, Here's How Febri Diansyah Arranges Legal Opinions In The Ministry Of Agriculture Case

Febri Diansyah, a figure who was once active as a spokesman for the 2016-2020 KPK. (Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

Attorney for the former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Febri Diansyah said there are several ways to formulate legal opinion (LO) regarding allegations of corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture. One of them is by asking for an explanation from his client.

This was conveyed in response to the alleged law firm, Visi Law Office received leaked documents related to the case being handled by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"If asked about the source of the LO preparation data, we emphasize that it was obtained in accordance with the provisions of Article 17 of the Advocate Law," Febri told VOI, Monday, October 9.

"Among them (via, ed) explanations of clients and employees at the Ministry of Agriculture regarding legal issues that occurred, copies of documents at the Ministry of Agriculture that we got from clients, and additional information from media coverage," continued the former KPK spokesman.

From the data he has, Febri and Rasamala systematically classify the potential and risk of corruption in this case. This process took about two to three months because they conducted an analysis based on the Anti-Corruption Law.

After this process was completed, LO was then handed over to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Kasdi Subagyono who was also his client. However, recently this document was also confiscated by investigators who visited the house of Syahrul's subordinate.

"So misinformation outside said it was confiscated from Pak Syahrul's house or the Ministry of Agriculture's Office," he said.

Febri did not want to specify the contents of the document. He only said that the preparation of the document was a natural thing for a lawyer to do when accompanying his client.

"LO is actually a document that is the right of the client and based on Article 19 paragraph (2) of the Law on Advocates is legally protected. I have also conveyed this during the examination," he said.

The KPK had previously asked for information from Febri and Rasamala Aritonang in a corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday, October 2. Both were asked about documents containing material on the alleged case being handled by investigators.

"The two witnesses were present and their knowledge was confirmed, among others, related to the discovery of documents during a search at the homes of the parties named as suspects," said Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri to reporters, Tuesday, October 3.

Ali said that the knowledge of Febri and Rasamala who are now lawyers needs to be investigated by investigators. "So that the alleged actions of the suspects become clearer," he said.

In this case, the anti-corruption commission said that three corruption clusters were handled. The details are extortion related to positions, gratuities, and allegations of money laundering (TPPU).

The KPK is still closing a meeting about the suspect in this case. However, Syahrul is suspected of being entangled along 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.