REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has scheduled the summons of Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Syahrul Yasin Limpo today, Friday (16/6/2023). However, Syahrul did not respond to the call as he was on assignment abroad.

Syahrul was summoned as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption within the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). Corruption Eradication Committee vice-chairman Nurul Ghufron said Syahrul had confirmed to the Corruption Eradication Committee that he would not be able to attend today.

“Yes, the person concerned (Syahrul) informed the Corruption Eradication Commission that he had planned activities in India,” Ghufron said in his written statement on Friday.

Ghufron said the former South Sulawesi governor requested that his exam be postponed. Syahrul is expected to be questioned next week.

“(Syahrul) requested that the exam be postponed to June 27, 2023,” Ghufron said.

Previously, the Corruption Eradication Commission confirmed that it was investigating allegations of corruption within the Ministry of Agriculture. A number of parties were also questioned in the case.

However, the Corruption Eradication Commission has not revealed the structure of the case as it is still under investigation. The level of confidentiality varies depending on the stage of the investigation.

However, the Corruption Eradication Commission claims to have obtained information from a number of parties regarding this alleged corruption. The Corruption Eradication Commission admitted that it would carry out an analysis to obtain corroborating evidence.

“The Corruption Eradication Commission also has information materials as potential evidence, of course in the following processes,” Head of the Corruption Eradication Committee Ali Fikri told reporters, Thursday (15 /6/2023).

Ali said this information was obtained from dozens of people interviewed during the investigation process. These are ASN and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Since the beginning of January 2023, we have invited many people to the KPK. I think there are dozens,” Ali said.

Reports have been circulating that Syahrul Yasin Limpo was suspected of being involved in the alleged corruption case. It is specified that the investigation has been ongoing since January 2023.

Based on the information gathered, he and two of his subordinates are suspected of being involved in the misuse of State Financial Responsibility Letters (SPJ) and alleged gratuities within the Ministry of Agriculture in 2019 -2023.

When in Solok Regency on Wednesday (14/6/2023), Minister of Agriculture Syahrul did not want to comment much on the cases within his ministry.

“OhI No to understand this,” Syahrul said when answering questions from reporters after inspecting the National Shallot Development Center area in Solok Regency, West Sumatra.

Syahrul remained silent when asked about the case handled by the KPK. He immediately got into the car and left the scene.