Eradicating Lobster Seed Smuggling, Gus Lilur Urges Prabowo to Form a Special Task Force

Founder and Owner of the World Seaport Group (Balad Group), HRM Khalilur R. Abdullah Sahlawiy alias Gus Lilur, called for the Tritura Nelayan of the Republic of Indonesia and urged President Prabowo Subianto to form a special task force to eradicate the smuggling of Lobster White Seed (BBL) abroad.

According to Gus Lilur, smuggling BBL is not just a common violation of the law, but an economic crime across the country that harms fishermen and eliminates the potential for added value to the national economy.

"We call for the Tritura Nelayan of the Republic of Indonesia. This is a demand from fishermen to President Prabowo for the state to be present decisively: eradicate BBL smuggling, facilitate cultivation in Indonesian waters, and mobilize all levels of KKP to increase lobster cultivation by Indonesian fishermen," said Gus Lilur in his statement, Sunday, May 10.

He also expressed his appreciation to President Prabowo for the policy of a total cessation of BBL cultivation abroad since August 2025 through the policy of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP).

According to him, this step is a form of government support for fishermen and the sovereignty of Indonesia's marine resources.

"We are grateful to President Prabowo. Since August 2025, the President has shown clear partisanship by stopping the cultivation of BBL abroad. This is a step of sovereignty. This is a step to protect Indonesian fishermen," he said.

Gus Lilur menilai perubahan Peraturan Menteri Kelautan dan Perikanan Nomor 7 Tahun 2024 menjadi Permen KP Nomor 5 Tahun 2026 menjadi langkah penting dalam memperkuat budidaya lobster di dalam negeri.

He emphasized that lobster seeds originating from Indonesian waters should be cultivated by Indonesian fishermen so that their economic value is enjoyed by the national community.

"BBL comes from Indonesian waters. So the cultivation must be in Indonesia. The added value must stay in Indonesia. Don't let the seeds come from us, the risk is borne by our fishermen, but the big profits are enjoyed by other countries," he said.

However, Gus Lilur reminded that the cessation of foreign cultivation would not be effective if the smuggling practice still took place.

He said the BBL smuggling network operated systematically through sea and air routes.

According to him, the BBL from Indonesia is sent through Malaysia to Singapore or directly flown to Singapore. After that, the lobster seeds undergo acclimatization in the Choa Chu Kang and Lim Chu Kang areas before being flown to Cambodia.

In Cambodia, BBL is said to have obtained legal documents before entering Vietnam.

"Why go to Cambodia first? Because Vietnam does not accept without legality. Then COO and COH were made in Cambodia. After that, BBL entered Vietnam," he said.

Gus Lilur menilai pola tersebut menunjukkan bahwa penyelundupan BBL telah menjadi bagian dari rantai pasok industri lobster global, sementara Indonesia hanya menjadi pemasok benih.

He said Vietnam was able to become one of the world's largest lobster exporters because it received BBL supplies from Indonesia with an economic value that was said to reach more than Rp100 trillion per year.

"This is a great irony. The seeds are from Indonesia, but the other countries are enjoying the economic value of hundreds of trillions. Our fishermen are just spectators. This must be stopped," he said.

Therefore, Gus Lilur asked President Prabowo to form a Special Task Force to Eradicate BBL Smuggling involving the KKP, Polri, TNI AL, Customs, airport authorities, port authorities, and state intelligence elements.

"This smuggling of BBL cannot be handled casually. The route is cross-country, the actors are organized, and the value is very large. The state must be present with a special task force," he said.

In addition to eradicating smuggling, he also asked the government to facilitate fishermen to cultivate lobsters in the country through technology support, capital, assistance, licensing, and market certainty.

According to him, Indonesia has great potential to become the world's lobster cultivation center if the leakage of BBL abroad can be stopped.

"If BBL is no longer leaked abroad and fishermen are facilitated for cultivation, Indonesia can become the world's lobster center. We must no longer just be a dark seed supplier for other countries' industries," he said.

On this occasion, Gus Lilur conveyed the Tritura Nelayan of the Republic of Indonesia which contained three main demands to President Prabowo Subianto.

First, eradicating the smuggling of BBL abroad. Second, facilitating fishermen to cultivate BBL in Indonesian waters. Third, ordering the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and all levels to encourage lobster cultivation in Indonesia by national fishermen.

"This Triton Nelayan is a call for sovereignty. We believe President Prabowo has the courage to arrange this. Form a task force, eradicate smuggling, facilitate fishermen, and make Indonesia the world's lobster cultivation center," concluded Gus Lilur.