Durian. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has appointed Luhut Pandjaitan, coordinating minister for maritime and investment affairs as ad interim minister of maritime affairs and fisheries (KKP) following the arrest of Minister Edhy Prabowo on Nov.25 by a team of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), a spokesperson said.
Prabowo was arrested upon his arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten from his official trip to the United States on early Nov.25 morning related with gratification case.
“We respect the ongoing legal process at KPK…the government is consistent supporting preventive and eradication corruption measures,” Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Nov.25 in responding to the arrest of Minister Prabowo.
On early Nov.26 morning, KPK announced that the politician from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) was declared as a suspect with six others for gratification in relation with 2020’s lobster seeds export case.
Previously KPK had arrested 17 people including Prabowo’s wife and released some of them who were not involved in the case in Jakarta, Banten and West Java areas, according to Ali Fikri, spokesperson of KPK.
Export of lobster seed was stopped by previous KKP Minister Susi Pudjiastuti in 2016.
“After a series of investigation…KPK determines seven suspects as receivers and givers,” Deputy Chairperson of KPK Nawawi Pomolango said at KPK headquarters in South Jakarta.
The receivers of gift or money in this case are Minister Edhy Prabowo, special staff at KKP Safri and Andreau Pribadi Misata, staff for Edhy Prabowo’s wife Ainul Faqih, a caretaker of Aero Citra Kargo (ACK), a shipment company and Amiril Mukminin, owner of ACK. Suharjito, director of Dua Putra Perkasa was declared as a suspect for his role as a giver of the bribe.
Prabowo and wife spent some of the money received between Nov.21-23 by buying luxurious stuffs, including a bicycle, in Honolulu, Hawaii during his current official trip, Pomolango explained.
“I apologize to Mr. President because I have betrayed his trust,” Prabowo said at KPK headquarters.
Prabowo and other bribe receivers are facing maximum sentence of life imprisonment and fine of Rp 1 billion ($70,000) if proven guilty, while for the giver could get maximum five years in prison and fine of Rp 250 million.
“Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut [Pandjaitan] has received a letter from State Secretary Minister [Pratikno] regarding legal investigation by KPK towards Maritime Affairs and Fisheries minister, which the president has appointed him as ad interim minister,” Jodi Mahardi, spokesperson of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment said through a text statement on late Nov.25 evening.
