(TheIndoDaily) – In a swift and surprise move, the Police have declared the Head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Firli Bahuri as a suspect in the alleged extortion case of former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL).
The Police had “determined Firli Bahuri as the Head of the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission as a suspect in a case of alleged criminal acts of corruption in the form of extortion or receiving gratuities,” said Director for Special Criminal at the Metro Jaya Regional Police Commissioner (Kombes) Ade Safri said at the Metro Jaya Police (Polda Metro Jaya) Headquarters on Wednesday (22/11).
The announcement came as a surprise given that KPK is a powerful commissioner which is in charge of eradicating corruption in the country. The commission has in the past dealt with notorious and high profile criminal cases.
The case started with a public complaint to Polda Metro Jaya on Aug. 12, 2023, following the declaration of former Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo (SYL) as a corruption suspect. The KPK Head was accused of extortion against the former minister.
After going through a series of investigations into this case, the police upgraded the status to investigation on October 6 2023. So far, 91 witnesses have been questioned by investigators.
In handling this case, Polda Metro Jaya investigated the meeting between Firli Bahuri and Syahrul Yasin Limpo at the badminton. Firli was later questioned for the meeting at the badminton court, which was publicly circulated.
Firli himself admitted that he met Syahrul at the badminton court before the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) started an investigation into alleged corruption at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan).
Firli admitted that he met Syahrul Yasin Limpo on March 2 2022 in an open area and was witnessed by many people.
According to Firli, the alleged corruption in the Ministry of Agriculture only began around January 2023.
“So at that time (March 2 2022), the status of Syahrul Yasin Limpo was not a suspect, defendant, convict, or party to a case at the KPK,” said Firli.
Firli also denied accusations of extortion and receiving billions of rupiah from Syahrul Yasin Limpo.
Observers on Thursday called on Firli to resign from his post.
The House Commission III which oversees legal and political issues were reported to hold an emergency meeting later today (tonight) to discuss the response of the House of Representative over the Police decision to declare the KPK Head as a suspect.
Written by Staff Writer
Bravo Police