Former Minister Of Agriculture SYL Allegedly Used Billions Of Corruption Money To Repair Houses To Treat Family Faces

The KPK press conference related to the corruption of former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that former Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo used corruption money for his personal needs. Among them is to improve his private home to take care of his family's face. This was conveyed by KPK Deputy Chairman Alexander Marwata at the press conference for Syahrul's detention. The NasDem Party politician was detained after being a suspect in alleged extortion and gratification at the Ministry of Agriculture. "The use of money by SYL, which is also known to KS and MH, includes payment for credit card installments, installments for purchase of SYL's Alphard car, improvement of private homes, plane tickets for families, to treatment and facial care for families worth billions of rupiah," said Alexander at the KPK's Red and White House, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Friday, October 13. Alex explained that the money that Syahrul, Hatta, and Kasdi allegedly enjoyed so far has reached Rp13.9 billion. However, this number could continue to grow because investigators are still working. "The more in-depth search is still being carried out," he said. Previously, the KPK had detained Syahrul along with two of his subordinates, Kasdi and Hatta. The former minister is suspected of extorting his employees by requiring to pay deposits every month. This extortion was carried out with the help of Kasdi and Hatta. The nominal set by Syahrul and must be deposited by echelon I-II employees ranging from 4,000-10,000 US dollars.

It is believed that the money collected does 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.