Edhy Prabowo Benur Corruption Suspect, Gerindra: Pak Prabowo Subianto Remains Committed To Eradicating Corruption

The corruption suspect, Edhy Prabowo, was taken to the KPK Detention Center (DOK. PR KPK)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto, still has not made much comment regarding the appointment of Edhy Prabowo as a suspect in a corruption case at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

Edhy Prabowo was Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party, before finally declaring his resignation from his post. In addition, Edhy Prabowo has also been Prabowo's adjutant.

The chairman of the Gerindra Party, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said that at this time Prabowo had not yet given complete directions to his party to address this case. Prabowo, he said, was still following the legal process from the KPK.

"I haven't talked much to Pak Prabowo. Gerindra respects the legal process according to the prevailing regulations. Pak Prabowo remains committed to eradicating corruption," Dasco told reporters, Thursday, November 26.

Gerindra, said Dasco, also did not send a legal aid team to accompany Edhy. "The family has prepared a team of lawyers to accompany Pak Edhy Prabowo in the legal process," he said.

Regarding Edhy's structural position in the party's DPP, Gerindra immediately welcomed Edhy's resignation and prepared a replacement cadre to fill the position as Deputy Head of Gerindra for Finance and National Development.

"We accept Pak Edhy Prabowo's resignation in accordance with the provisions in force in the party. If you have resigned, it is finished, and we are preparing a replacement," said Dasco.

Yesterday, Dasco also said Prabowo was still waiting for complete information regarding the arrest and allegations of corruption in the export of lobster seeds related to his cadre.

"We have reported (Edhy's arrest) to our Chairman (Prabowo Subianto). A direction from the General Chairman, to wait for further development of information from the KPK," said Dasco, Wednesday, November 25.

Previously reported, after being caught in the hand-catching operation (OTT), Edhy Prabowo was named an official suspect wearing an orange vest. He and five other Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) officials were named as suspects in the fry export permit case.

The five people are staff members of the Minister of KP Safri (SAF) and Andreau Pribadi Misanta (APM); management of PT Aero Citra Kargo (PT ACK) Siswadi (SWD); staff wife of the Minister of KP Ainul Faqih, and Amiril Mukminin (AM).

Meanwhile, the suspect who gave the bribe was the Director of PT Dua Putra Perkasa Pratama (PT DPPP) Suharjito (SJT).

In this case, Edhy allegedly received Rp3.4 billion, which was then used as much as Rp750 million to buy luxury goods in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States.

For his actions, Edhy and a number of officials in his ministry who were named as suspects who received bribes were then suspected of violating Article 12 paragraph (1) letters a or b or Article 11 of Law Number 31 of 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 of 2001 concerning Eradication. Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) 1 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, the suspect who gave the bribe is suspected of violating Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or b or Article 13 of Law Number 31 Year 1999 as amended by Law Number 20 Year 2001 concerning Eradication of Corruption Crime.

After being named a suspect, Edhy and other parties will be detained at the KPK Detention Center for the Red and White Building of the KPK for the next 20 days from November 25 to December 14.