Edhy Prabowo Detained By KPK, KKP Asked Employees To Focus On Work

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo detained by the KPK (Photo: PR KPK)

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Antam Novambar asked employees in his ministry to focus on work and appreciate the legal process currently being undertaken by the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo regarding the alleged bribery of fry export permits.

"We just focus on working, serving the community," said Antam in a written statement to journalists, Thursday, November 26.

He said the KKP had also coordinated with related parties after Edhy was named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday, November 26 in the morning.

"With regard to Minister Edhy's legal status, the KKP has coordinated with related parties in order to handle the law," he said.

Furthermore, Antam claimed to have issued instructions through Circular number B-835 / SJ / XI / 2020 concerning the Implementation of Office Activities in the KKP which was signed last Wednesday or after Edhy Prabowo was arrested.

In the letter, he confirmed that even though the minister was caught in a legal case, office activities at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) would not be disturbed and would certainly run as usual.

"We make sure, service to the community continues," he said.

All employees in the KKP environment, he continued, will continue to work as usual and are required to carry out their duties optimally by still implementing health protocols to prevent COVID-19.

"Of course, by still paying attention to health protocols, maintaining health, both at home, on the go and at work," he said.

Not only that, Antam also admitted that he had asked the KKP workers to remain focused and enthusiastic at work, as well as maintain internal solidity.

Meanwhile, to replace the currently vacant ministerial position, the Minister of State Secretary, in accordance with President Joko Widodo's direction, has issued a letter dated November 25, 2020 containing the appointment of the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as the Ad Interim Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

This assignment is valid until the stipulation of the Daily Executive (Plh.) Of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries through a Presidential Decree.

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 of Corruption in conjunction with Article 55 paragraph (1) to 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.

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