SYL's Pretrial Was Rejected, KPK Claims To Get Information There Are Parties Who Try To Influence Judges

Suspects in corruption cases at the Ministry of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo or SYL (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) claims that there are parties who are trying to influence the judge's decision to hear the pretrial of former Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo at the South Jakarta District Court (PN). This was conveyed by the Head of the KPK News Section Ali Fikri in response to the rejection of Syahrul's pretrial filed on Tuesday, November 14 yesterday. This lawsuit is registered with case number: 114/Pid.Pra/2023/PN JKT.SEL. "We received information on the alleged existence of certain parties who intend to influence the judge's decision," said Ali in a written statement quoted on Wednesday, November 15. It was not detailed who Ali was in question. However, he appreciated the steps of the judge who remained professional and decided the case in accordance with the facts. Moreover, there were 164 evidences submitted by the KPK at the pretrial hearing. "This is of course a sign of our seriousness to uncover this case in accordance with the facts that actually happened," he said. Syahrul filed a pretrial on Wednesday, October 11. He sued the determination of the suspect made by the KPK. It was only that the lawsuit was rejected by South Jakarta PN Single Judge Alimin Ribut Sujono. With this decision the investigation of the alleged corruption case in the form of extortion, gratification, and money laundering carried out by the KPK could be continued. "To try in the exception, reject the applicant's pretrial, and impose costs on the applicant," said Alimin while reading the verdict, yesterday. Previously reported, the KPK suspected Syahrul extorted his employees by requiring the payment of money every month with the help of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Kasdi Subagyono and the Director of Agriculture Agriculties of the Ministry of Muhammad Hatta. The nominality that was pegged and had to be deposited by echelon I-II employees ranging 4,000-10,000 United States dollars.

The money collected is believed to have come from not only 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. KPK then suspects that the money Syahrul received was used for various personal interests. Starting from Umrah with other Ministry of Agriculture employees, buying cars, repairing houses to flowing to the NasDem Party with a value of up to billions of rupiah.