5-10-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s Agriculture Minister, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, submitted his resignation to President Joko Widodo on Thursday as the country’s anti-graft agency, known as the KPK, initiated investigations and conducted raids that revealed billions of rupiah.
Although the KPK has not publicly named Syahrul as a suspect or disclosed the details of the case, the agency is currently investigating three clusters of corruption: extortion, receiving gratuities, and money laundering.
Limpo’s resignation occurred a day after his return to Indonesia following an unexplained period of being unreachable, during a working visit to Europe.
While his expected return date was October 1, he only resurfaced on October 4. During his absence, the Indonesian government stated that it had no information on his whereabouts, and his office and colleagues lost contact with him on September 30 after the conclusion of his working trip.
Regarding Syahrul Yasin Limpo’s whereabouts, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated, “I mean, if they (the KPK) encounter any problem, for instance, in investigating seized items or items allegedly destroyed, we will facilitate them to handle this. We will help, as it is the government’s task. However, as for his whereabouts, we are also unaware.”
The anti-graft agency initiated investigations into Limpo’s alleged involvement in a corruption case upon his return to Indonesia. He was questioned by the police for three hours on Thursday.
Limpo, speaking to reporters after his questioning, said, “My trip was for the benefit of the people, 280 million people I have to feed, and I have been working.” He stated that he is resigning because of the legal process he is going through and urged people to presume his innocence.
If named a suspect, Limpo would become the sixth minister in President Jokowi’s administration to face corruption charges. Speculation surrounds the timing of graft allegations against Limpo and another former minister, with suggestions that the cases may be politically motivated.
Siti Zuhro, a political analyst at the National Research and Innovation Agency, commented on the suspicious timing of the cases against NasDem party politicians.
Feri Amsari, a law analyst at Andalas University, asserted that the case against Limpo is legitimate regardless of potential politicization.
The KPK has denied any politicization of Limpo’s case.
