Jakarta, Hilton News –
The defendant in the case of alleged extortion and receipt of gratuities and former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) explained the purpose of the appeal to subordinates regarding those who are not in line please withdraw.
In a follow-up hearing at the Corruption Criminal Court (Tipikor) at the Central Jakarta District Court (PN), Monday (20/5), SYL explained that this was related to the work program, aka not a request for money or contributions.
“Then it was said that those who were not in line with me as a minister, resigned. It’s not related to money, definitely not, because the panel tried to ask, this is related to the program,” SYL said in response to the statements of six witnesses presented by the KPK prosecutor team today.
SYL said Indonesia was facing conditions that were not okay, including the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, he requested that each of his subordinates work optimally including making visits to areas.
“We are facing an atmosphere that Indonesia is not good at, father. So, I have an order, among others, there can be no Director General, echelon I, only in Jakarta, 70 to 80 percent must be in the regions and check you have the results of work. Otherwise, stop you from here. That’s your majesty,” he said.
He also ensured that there were no problems related to technical problems at the Ministry of Agriculture.
“I am the minister, who is on the trip, what is this use is technically operational. There is nothing in the first echelon nor does it stop there, let alone the minister wants to ask where the money is, love who the money is. So, I think this is something I need to explain, sir, because I feel that if it’s like this, everyone points to the minister,” said SYL.
Previously, a number of witnesses from the Ministry of Agriculture stated that SYL through his close people asked for sharing funds in each directorate for personal and family needs such as Umrah, traveling abroad, and carrying out sacrifices.
SYL was tried for alleged extortion up to IDR 44,546,079,044 and gratuities were considered bribes of IDR 40,647,444,494 during the 2020-2023 period.
The crime was committed by SYL together with two other defendants, namely Secretary General of the Ministry Kasdi Subagyono and Director of Agricultural Tools and Machinery, Directorate General of Infrastructure and Facilities of the Ministry of Agriculture Muhammad Hatta.
SYL was also prosecuted by the KPK for alleged Money Laundering (TPPU). The case is still rolling in the investigation stage.
(ryn/fra)
[Image:HN Video]