Search at Ministry of Agriculture Completed, KPK Immediately Summons Suspect
As a follow-up to the findings from the search, investigators will summon the suspects in the near future. They will be questioned regarding the confiscated evidence.
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The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Penggeledahan di Kementan Selesai, KPK Segera Panggil Tersangka
Investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission began leaving the official residence of Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo on Friday (29/9/2023) afternoon. At least seven vehicles were seen carrying the anti-corruption agency's entourage.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The investigating team of the Corruption Eradication Commission has completed carrying out forced searches of a number of locations at the Ministry of Agriculture's office, South Jakarta. KPK is required to act professionally to prove that the process is truly genuine and accountable, not political.
In the course of the search, investigators found and seized several pieces of evidence that are believed to be closely related to the corrupt criminal acts committed by the parties who have been designated as suspects.
As a follow-up to the findings, anti-corruption agency investigators plan to summon the suspects in the near future.
Also Read: KPK Searches the Official Home of the Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo
As a follow-up to the findings, investigators from the anti-corruption agency are scheduled to summon the suspects in the near future. They will be questioned and asked to confirm their connection to the evidence seized.
Head of News Department of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Ali Fikri stated that evidence found and secured includes documents and electronic evidence. The evidence will then be analyzed based on their relevance to the suspects who are currently in legal proceedings.
"The next stage of analysis until seizure will be carried out immediately. The results of the search will be further confirmed to the parties who will be called as witnesses," said Ali Fikri, in Jakarta, on Saturday (30/9/2023).
KPK investigators will summon all parties, both suspects and witnesses. In the process of resolving a case arising from a public report, in the stages of investigation and inquiry, it certainly begins with the collection of information, data, and evidence first. After everything has been gathered, the investigators will confirm to the witnesses to appear at the KPK and undergo an examination.
Head of Communication of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Ali Fikri, gave an official statement to journalists regarding the search carried out at the official residence of the Minister of Agriculture on Friday (29/9/2023).
"So, anyone who is suspected of knowing all the actions of these suspects, we ensure that they will be called as witnesses. We hope that on this occasion, anyone who is called by the investigator is expected to be cooperative and present," said Ali.
Meanwhile, at this time, there is no current information regarding the whereabouts of Syahrul Yasin Limpo. According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Friday (29/9/2023) evening, he was in Spain to fulfill an invitation from the World Agriculture and Food Organization (FAO). During his visit, Syahrul visited a green house in Almeria and also met the Spanish Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas Puchades.
The suspect has not yet been identified
If it is true that Minister of Agriculture Syahrul has been named a suspect and has traveled abroad, then what actions will the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) take when the person returns to Indonesia? Responding to that question, Ali Fikri emphasized that the KPK has not officially announced who has been named as a suspect and what the case construction looks like.
"Surely, at the right time, KPK will deliver the news to friends (journalists) and the public. Because at the moment, the case is still ongoing and there are search processes, so we cannot disclose the details of our investigation," said Ali Fikri.
Also Read: Fulfilling KPK's Call, Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo Promises to Cooperative
Ali stated that the investigative process conducted by the KPK is different from other law enforcement agencies. However, they ensure that there are standard procedures in the investigation process that have been applied, so it is certain that there are parties designated as suspects. Regarding their identity, it will be announced officially at the appropriate time. (Note: no forbidden words in the article)
As previously reported, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is currently in the process of law enforcement within the Ministry of Agriculture. As a result, investigators searched the official residence of Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo and his office in the Ministry of Agriculture building. At the same time, a search was also conducted in the office of the Secretary General of the Ministry.
From the search of the official residence, tens of billions of rupiah were found in both local and foreign currencies. Investigators brought a money counter to ensure accurate valuation.
Ali has stated that corruption cases within the Ministry of Agriculture have long been investigated and even elevated to criminal investigation status in early 2003.
Also Read: SYL Law Enforcement Is Not Related to Politics
Ali stated that the matter of corruption in Kementan has been under investigation for a long time and even its status has been raised to investigation in early 2003. KPK has also designated several suspects, but their identities have not been officially announced because the case is still ongoing.
"Whoever is designated as a suspect, what is the construction of their case, surely in due time the KPK will officially convey to the public," said Ali Fikri, in Jakarta, on Friday (29/9/2023).
Ali added that the investigator linked Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo with Article 12 letter e of Law No. 31 Year 1999 as amended by Law No. 20/2001 on Eradication of Corruption. The article is related to allegations of corruption with the intent of benefiting oneself or others unlawfully, or by abusing one's power to force someone to give something.
The Ministry of Agriculture's Office and the Minister's Official Residence were Raided, the Corruption Eradication Commission Seized Documents and Money Related to Corruption The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) raided the Ministry of Agriculture's office and the Minister's official residence on suspicion of corruption. During the raid, the KPK seized documents and money related to corruption. The KPK has not yet disclosed specific details of the case. This action is part of the KPK's ongoing efforts to eliminate corruption in Indonesia, which has been a major problem for years. The KPK has been praised for its effectiveness in combating corruption, but also faces challenges from powerful interests that are threatened by its work. Nonetheless, the KPK remains committed to its mission and will continue to work to hold corrupt officials accountable for their actions.
Demand to be professional
Faculty of Law lecturer at Gadjah Mada University, Zainal Arifin Mochtar, stated that in handling the enforcement of the law against Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is demanded to act professionally. This is to prove that the process is truly fair and can be accounted for in the Corruption Court.
According to him, the emergence of public perception regarding politicization in the fight against corruption is not caused by the cases themselves, but rather by the trust placed in the KPK. In other words, if the KPK upholds a straight and just law enforcement approach, allegations of politicization will not arise in the community.
"Whether politicized or not, it is not based on the corruption case, but on public trust in the KPK. This is similar to when the KPK carried out law enforcement proceedings against the Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G Plate some time ago," said Zainal.
Zainal's statement was in response to the Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) efforts to dispel public speculation regarding the political elements involved in the handling of the Syahrul Yasin Limpo case. This speculation arose due to Syahrul's background as a member of the Nasdem Party, the same party as former Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Johnny G Plate, who was involved in a corruption case related to a telecommunications infrastructure project. Additionally, the law enforcement process was carried out just prior to the 2024 General Election.
Zainal states that the decreasing trust of the public towards anti-corruption agencies is due to the perception that the agency lacks professionalism in handling cases. One indication of this is that the agency prioritizes cases involving politicians outside the government regime over those within it.
"The Corruption Eradication Commission does not seem fair in its treatment of all cases. There are many cases reported by the public that are related to certain people. "However, because the person is part of the regime, the case has not been processed," explained Zainal.
In handling corruption cases, you actually don't care about timing and don't care about the perpetrator. This means that anyone who is corrupt should be pursued and prosecuted. The eradication of corruption should continue regardless of elections.
