Who Is The Minister Of Marine Affairs And Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo, Who Was Arrested By The KPK For Alleged Corruption Of Lobster Seeds

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo who was arrested by the KPK for alleged corruption (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo is reportedly arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on suspicion of corruption in the export of lobster seeds. Before replacing the position of old minister, Susi Pudjiastuti, Edhy studied at the ABRI Academy (Akabri). He also served as a member of the People's Representative Council (DPR). Who is Edhy Prabowo, what is his relationship with Prabowo Subianto, and what is his career and life journey?

Edhy Prabowo was born in Muara Enim, South Sumatra on December 24, 1972. Edhy Prabowo was born to Sutopo and Sri Rejeki. In 1991, Edhy Prabowo had studied military at Akabri Magelang for two years, before he was expelled along with sanctions from the unit.

Then Edhy Prabowo migrated to Jakarta. In the capital city, Edhy Prabowo met Prabowo Subianto, the General Chair of the Gerindra Party who is currently the Minister of Defense. At that time Prabowo Subianto was still a Dangrup III TNI AD and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Prabowo Subianto offered Edhy Prabowo to continue his education at the Faculty of Economics, University of Moestopo with all tuition fees borne by Prabowo Subianto. The opportunity was taken by Edhy Prabowo by majoring in Management Economics in 1997. In 2014, Edhy Prabowo continued his education at German University by taking business studies.

Careers are built on closeness with Prabowo Subianto

The closeness between Prabowo Subianto and Edhy Prabowo continues. Edhy Prabowo is a loyal confidant of Prabowo Subianto.

In 2005, Edhy Prabowo was active in the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI). In this organization, Edhy Prabowo served as the Head of Education and Training.

Two years later, 2007, Edhy Prabowo started his business by establishing a security services company called PT Garuda Security Nusantara. In that company, Edhy Prabowo served as President Director. Edhy Prabowo also holds a Commissioner position at PT Kiani Lestari Jakarta, a paper company owned by Prabowo Subianto.

Edhy Prabowo and Prabowo Subianto (Instagram / @ edhyprabowo)

When Prabowo Subianto founded Parta Gerindra, Edhy Prabowo ran as a legislative candidate for the DPR from his hometown, Electoral District of South Sumatra II. Edhy Prabowo managed to qualify for Senayan by getting the most votes.

His career in the DPR has been long in three consecutive terms. In his last term as a member of the DPR, Edhy Prabowo held the position of Chairman of Commission IV in charge of agriculture, plantation, forestry, maritime affairs, fisheries and food, with one of the partners being the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

In the Gerindra Party, Edhy Prabowo occupies an important position as Deputy Chairman for Finance and National Development of the Gerindra Party DPP. He has held this position since 2012.

Become a minister

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo after the inauguration (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

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On 23 October 2019, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appointed Edhy Prabowo as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Edhy Prabowo replaced the popular Susi Pudjiastuti with a policy of sinking illegal foreign vessels.

Edhy Prabowo's name entered as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries after the Gerindra Party, under the direction of Prabowo Subianto - who served as Minister of Defense - decided to turn the direction of Jokowi's coalition. Edhy Prabowo held the post of Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries under the shadow of the popularity of the previous minister, Susi Pudjiastuti.

Edhy Prabowo was also controversial because he removed a number of regulations previously carried out by Susi Pudjiastuti. According to him, regulatory adjustments need to be made in order to remove obstacles for the business world and increase siding with small fishermen.

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MKP) Edhy Prabowo harvests vaname shrimp in Cianjur (Source: KKP Public Relations)

At least three of Susi Pudjiastuti's policies were removed by Edhy Prabowo. First, giving permission to fishermen to use cantrang fishing gear which during the Susi Pudjiastuti period was prohibited because it damaged the marine environment.

Second, to stop the sinking of illegal foreign vessels, a policy very popular during Susi Pudjiastuti's time. Third, Edhy Prabowo also removed the ban on lobster seed exports. Previously, Susi Pudjiastuti issued Ministerial Regulation (Permen) Noor 52/2016 on the Prohibition of Capturing or Exporting Lobster, Crab and Crab from Indonesia.

For Susi Pudjiastuti, lobsters are better bought and sold when they are ready for consumption for added value. According to Susi Pudjiastuti, the export of lobster seeds only benefits other countries. In addition, Susi Pudjiastuti wants lobsters to continue to breed in Indonesian oceans.

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