The NasDem Party has responded to the statements from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutor regarding the flow of gratification funds from then Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo to the party.
Secretary-Genral of NasDem Party, Hermawi Taslim, stated that it is a common practice, suggesting that it could be a donation from Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL), who is also an executive at NasDem, for one of the party’s events.
Hermawi emphasized that such contributions are normal and not exclusive to SYL, as many other party members also contribute.
“We cannot ask the donor about the origin of the donation. As party members, it’s normal for someone to contribute,” Hermawi said as quoted by Katadata.co.id on February 28, 2024.
He added that the accusations are still preliminary and unproven, highlighting the variability in contributions from party members in terms of the source and amount of funds.
Hermawi even admitted to making larger contributions to the NasDem Party, but he was not questioned about the source of those funds.
Earlier, Chief Treasurer of the NasDem Party, Ahmad Sahroni, acknowledged that the NasDem Party faction at the House of Representatives (DPR) had received financial assistance from SYL. However, the amount was not as substantial as what was discovered by the KPK.
“Around IDR 20 million to the NasDem faction, not the NasDem Party,” said Sahroni on October 12, 2023.
Syahrul Yasin Limpo is charged with extortion and receiving gratuities totaling IDR 44.5 billion (US$ 2.8 million) in a corruption case at the Ministry of Agriculture. The extortion allegedly took place between 2020 and 2023.
The funds, obtained through coercion, were reportedly also used for the NasDem Party, amounting to IDR 40.1 million. Masmudi, the prosecutor, detailed the flow of funds to the NasDem Party, stating that Syahrul Limpo provided IDR 8.3 million in 2020, IDR 23 million in 2021, and IDR 8.82 million in 2022.
