TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director General of Immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Silmy Karim, said that the Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, had not yet returned to Indonesia following the alleged gratification case that ensnared the NasDem (National Democrat) politician. Silmy stated that Syahrul Yasin Limpo's last whereabouts in Rome, Italy, were monitored from data on crossings and cooperation between countries.

The minister departed on September 24. He left Indonesia from Soekarno-Hatta Airport for Rome. Syahrul Yasin Limpo is scheduled to return on September 30 and arrive in Indonesia on October 1. "We have checked, there has not any info yet in the system that tells that the person is already in Indonesia," said Silmy when met after a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) searched the official residence of Syahrul Yasin Limpo in Kebayoran Baru on Thursday evening, September 28, 2023. The KPK also searched the Ministry of Agriculture's office, namely in the room of Syahrul and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Kasdi Subagyono.

In a press conference in Jakarta on Friday, September 29, 2023, KPK spokesman Ali Fikri said that his party confiscated Rp30 billion in cash which was found inside several envelopes. The Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) suspects that some of the money came from employees related to promotions and transfers at the Ministry of Agriculture.

When the search took place, Syahrul Yasin Limpo was not at home and was visiting a horticultural screen house farm model in the Almeria region, Spain. The day before that he was in a meeting with the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Silmy, when met at the Palace, said that he had not yet received a letter from the Corruption Eradication Commission regarding the proposal or decision to include Syahrul Yasin Limpo as a fugitive (DPO). According to him, this is related to the needs in terms of the investigation process at the KPK.

“I limit myself according to our functional duties, that is within the authority of the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK), I can't comment (on whether we will carry out the search on our own or not)," said Silmy.

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The search at Syahrul Yasin Limpo's official residence was completed on Friday afternoon, September 29, 2023 and continued with the search at the Ministry of Agriculture Office, South Jakarta. Apart from tens of billions in cash, KPK investigators found 12 firearms of various types. These guns include Smith&Wesson (S&W), Walther, Tanfoglio, and others. The rifle has been handed over to the Jakarta Metro Police for investigation through the Police Intelligence and Security Directorate and in coordination with the Police Security Intelligence Agency.

After the search at the NasDem politician's official residence, KPK investigators continued the search at the Ministry of Agriculture Office, South Jakarta for almost 12 hours. In the investigation process, said Ali, certain documents were found which were conditional and suspected to be destroyed.

Harvick said that according to the latest information he received from Spain, the minister departed with several officials. Some staff have returned to Indonesia individually because tickets may also be limited. "Finally separated," he said when met after a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, October 3 2023.

So far, the ad interim position of Syahrul Yasin Limpo will be filled by Harvick. The president will take further steps regarding his ministerial position.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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