KPK summons Agriculture Ministry official in beef import scandal

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has summoned Agriculture Ministry official, Prabowo Respatiyo, as a witness in relation to the current investigation into the beef import bribery case.

 Prabowo, a ministry expert staff on agriculture investigation, arrived at KPK headquarters on Friday morning.

“He is summoned here in relation to his former duties as director general for animal husbandry,” KPK spokesman, Priharsa Nugraha said as quoted by kompas.com.

Agriculture Minister Suswono removed Prabowo from his position as director general of animal husbandry in December last year allegedly due to the official’s unveiling of various problems in the animal husbandry sector, including corruption in beef imports, which had attracted public attention.

The KPK have already summoned two other civil servants from the agriculture ministry, Ahmad Fikri and Luthfi, as witnesses in the case.

The KPK had earlier summoned the current Director General for Animal Husbandry, Syukur Irwantoro, as a witness.

Up to this date, KPK has named four suspects, the ex president of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq; Ahmad Fathanah; and directors of meat importer PT Indoguna Utama, Juard Effendi and Arya Abdi Effendi.

Luthfi Hasan has been accused of using his influence as party chief with Agriculture Minister Suswono, a party colleague, to determine the beef import quota for PT Indoguna. In return for this service, PT Indoguna gave a Rp 1 billion (US$109,000) bribe to Luthfi through his good friend, Ahmad Fathanah.(nai/dic)