SYL's Arrest Letter Signed By Firli Questioned, Novel: He's Not An Investigator

Former investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Novel Baswedan (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former investigator of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Novel Baswedan assessed that KPK Chairman Firli Bahuri was not entitled to sign the arrest warrant of former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo.

This was conveyed by Novel in response to Syahrul's Arrest Order (Sprinkap). Based on the documents obtained by VOI, Firli signed the letter with two contributions, namely the KPK leadership as the investigator.

"He (Firli, ed) is not an investigator but he claims to be an investigator," Novel told reporters, Friday, October 13.

Referring to the KPK Law Number 19 of 2019, the KPK leadership is not part of the investigator. This law changed after the revision.

Novel also accused that Syahrul's arrest by the anti-corruption commission was an attempt to close or hinder the handling of alleged extortion handled by the Polda Metro Jaya. In this case, Firli's name is suspected of being involved.

"This is if I look at it, I believe it to be the abuse of power. So Firli's efforts to close or silence extortion cases. This is what is dangerous," he said.

This accusation was conveyed by Novel not without reason. He initially alluded to the issuance of the Corruption Crime Report (LKTPK) of the Ministry of Agriculture case on June 16, 2023 and the Order for the Commencement of Investigation (Sprindik) which was signed on September 26, 2023 or considered too long.

In fact, usually the issuance of LKTPK and Sprindik is only a few days away. Or even published on the same day.

"This turns out to be the difference (day) for a long time. This shows that the KPK is not in a hurry, it tends not to want to raise this case even though it has been decided," said Novel.

The next oddity, continued Novel, was the odd number of summons for the examination and arrest of SYL which were both signed on October 11, 2023. So, it is suspected that something happened behind the process.

"Firli Bahuri signed the arrest, that's funny. Usually the arrests don't have to be the KPK leadership because the arrests are quite deputy. If the detention is indeed the head of the KPK, even though the current law is no longer because they are no longer investigators," he said.

As previously reported, Syahrul was arrested in the Kebayoran area, South Jakarta on Thursday night even though he was supposed to be questioned on Friday, October 13. He immediately underwent an examination at the KPK's Red and White Building.

This arrest was then deemed in a hurry, especially since Syahrul stated that he would be ready to visit the KPK. However, the anti-corruption commission claims this process is carried out according to procedures.

In this case of alleged extortion and gratification, the KPK has announced Syahrul 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 as suspects on Wednesday, October 11.

Syahrul through his two subordinates is suspected of extorting his employees by requiring to pay deposits every month. The nominal varies from 4,000-10,000 US dollars. The money collected is believed to have 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.