Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Graft allegations lead to former Agriculture Minister’s family

Reading Time: 2 minutes
Julian Isaac

Journalist

Editor

Interview

The ongoing investigation into corruption at Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture has revealed the involvement of family members, including the spouse of former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL), Muhammad Hatta, who serves as the Director of Agricultural Machinery at the ministry, and an unnamed member of the House of Reprsentatives (DPR). They have now been designated as suspects by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

This information emerged during the ethics trial of the suspended Chairman of the KPK, Firli Bahuri. The involvement of SYL’s family members and former spouse, as well as Muhammad Hatta and the parliament member, is mentioned in an official memo dated April 27, 2021. The memo alleges their participation in project arrangements within Kementan. The suspects are now facing corruption charges.

Syamsuddin Haris, a member of the Supervisory Board of the KPK, did not disclose the identities of SYL’s family involved in the project arrangements. However, this information is supported by statements from several witnesses who were examined during the ethics trial.

The investigation was initiated based on a report of corruption involving the procurement of cattle, fees, and the buying and selling of positions within agriculture ministry. The report was received on October 9, 2020. The case primarily revolves around irregularities in the cattle procurement project involving an unnamed DPR legislator within the Ministry of Agriculture for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Firli, who was previously a high-ranking police general, has been heavily condemned for ethical violations. The Supervisory Board has called for his resignation from the leadership position at the KPK.

Firli has been found guilty of communicating and meeting with former Minister SYL, who is a party in the KPK case. Additionally, he was found to be dishonest in reporting his wealth on the State Officials’ Wealth Report (LHKPN), failing to declare certain income and debts. Firli also faced allegations related to the rental of a house in Jakarta.

These ethical violations came to light after the Supervisory Board examined several witnesses during the ethics trial, and existing evidence supported the accusations against the suspended KPK chairman.

Julian Isaac

Journalist

 

Editor

 

Interview

SUBSCRIBE NOW
We will provide you with an invoice for your reimbursable expenses.

Free

New to Indonesian market? Read our free articles before subscribing to the premium plan. If you already run your business in Indonesia, make sure to subscribe to the premium subscription so you won’t miss any intelligence & business opportunities.

Premium

$550 USD/Year

or

$45 USD/Month

Cancelation: you can cancel your subscription at any time, by sending us an email inquiry@ibp-media.com

Add keywords to your market watch and receive notification:
Schedule a free consultation with us:

We’ll contact you for confirmation.

FURTHER READING

The House of Representatives (DPR) has decided to postpone all budget efficiency discussions in each commission with ministries/institutions due to budget reconstruction policy by the government.
Minister of Investment and Downstream/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board, Rosan P. Roeslani, renews the Indonesian government’s commitment to achieve 8-percent economic growth by 2029 driven by investment and industrial transformation.
Indonesia must enhance its business environment to accelerate economic growth and escape the middle-income trap, according to Norman Loaiza, Director of the Global Indicators Group at the World Bank Group. Speaking at the launch of the Business Ready (Be Ready) Report, Loaiza highlighted key areas where Indonesia needs improvement to attract investments and foster a dynamic private sector.
PT Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in North Maluku has been reported to the Ministry of Environment by Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) for alleged environmental destruction.
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has clarified on the search conducted at three rooms of  the Office of the Directorate General of Oil & Gas at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) located on Jalan Rasuna Said in Central Jakarta on Monday, February 10, 2025.
President Prabowo has hinted at the attitude of bureaucrats who oppose the budget efficiency policy of the government, likening them to “little kings” who feel immune to the law and therefore to oppose the head of state’s directives.