JAKARTA - Former Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined 300 million rupiah (US$18,520) for corruption involving gratification and extortion within the ministry.
The Central Jakarta District Court also ordered him to pay 14.15 billion rupiah (US$873,640) and US$30,000 in compensation.
Chief Judge Rianto Adam Pontoh stated that the amount reflects the financial benefits Syahrul, aged 69, gained from abusing his power by coercing bribes and meeting his family’s needs, when announcing the verdict on Thursday.
The judge also highlighted aggravating factors of the verdict including Syahrul’s evasive testimony, failure to meet expected standards as a state official, and his family’s financial gains from corruption.
Mitigating factors considered included Syahrul’s age, contributions during food crises like the Covid-19 pandemic, awards for his work, and respectful conduct during the trial, he added. - BERNAMA