Syahrul Yasin Limpo (born 16 March 1955) is an Indonesian politician, who served as Minister of Agriculture in Joko Widodo's Onward Cabinet from October 2019 until the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) announced his involvement in alleged corruption in September 2023.[1] He was governor of South Sulawesi from 2008 to 2018.[2][3][4]
In 2017, Limpo oversaw a controversial project in the province to create five artificial islands to increase public space at Makassar. Opposition came from environmental organizations which filed a lawsuit and local fishermen who attempted to physically block the construction, claiming the project would deplete fish stocks.[8]
On 2 September 2022, Riezky Aprilia was reported to the Honorary Court of the DPR (MKD) for remarking to the Minister of Agriculture,[9] Limpo, that he was taking the "wrong medicine" during a work meeting.[10] She criticised him and then provided him with an explanation of her remarks, acknowledging that she had just used language rhetorical methods to show her disdain for him.[9]
Controversies
Corruption Eradication Commission announced his involvement in alleged corruption on 29 September 2023.[1] At the time of his announcement, he was on an official trip to Italy and Spain. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Harvick Hasnul Qolbi, revealed that Limpo separated from the Ministry of Agriculture entourage after learning his status after KPK announced him as a suspect.[1] As revealed by the Directorate General of Immigration, his official trip supposedly ended on 30 September 2023, and he should return on 1 October 2023. Since he had not returned after the trip, he was declared missing. His disappearance was eventually confirmed by Yasonna Laoly, who oversees the Directorate General of Immigration's operations. Laoly expressed that his ministry was not responsible for bringing Limpo back, but the Police and KPK would handle his return.[11][12]
Since his disappearance, Surya Paloh, requested him to return immediately and to cooperate with law enforcement.[13] Limpo eventually returned and reported himself to Paloh[14] and expected to report himself to Joko Widodo on 5 October 2023.[15] Nasdem Party confirmed that Limpo resigned from his post as minister on 5 October 2023.[16] Limpo reported himself to Ministry of the State Secretariat on the same day submitted his resignation according to the protocol, ending his tenure as minister.[17] On 6 October 2023, Limpo replaced with Arief Prasetyo Adi, head of the National Food Agency, as acting minister.[18]
On 11 July 2024, he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in a corruption case, with IDR 300 million in fines and replacement money totaling IDR 14,147,144,786 (IDR 14.1 billion) and US$30,000.[19]
