Hashim To Edhy: Ed, Just Open As Many Lobster Licenses As Possible, Because Prabowo Does Not Want Monopoly

Businessman and the younger brother of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, Hashim Djojohadikusumo. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Businessman and the younger brother of the Minister of Defense, Prabowo Subianto, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, admitted that he had asked the former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo, to open as many lobster seed export permits as possible.

Furthermore, Hashim argued, his request should be carried out as widely as possible. So, monopolistic practices would not occur in the business.

"At that time I met Pak Edhy last year, I said, 'Ed, how many times do I warn, I suggest to give as many permits as possible.' There are many living witnesses behind me," he said in a press conference at Jetski Cafe, Pantai Mutiara, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, Friday, December 4.

At that time, Hashim admitted that he asked Edhy to open licenses for 100 potential exporters of lobster seed companies. As of November 2020, 65 companies have obtained export permits.

"I said, 'open Ed, open 100. Because Pak Prabowo doesn't want a monopoly, and we don't like a monopoly. The Gerindra Party doesn't like a monopoly. I have told you many times," he said.

Hashim admitted that his company, namely PT Bima Sakti Mutiara or currently with PT Bima Sakti Bahari, is not included in the list of 65 companies that have export permits.

"This month, we submitted a permit for lobster cultivation, it was in May. A month later, we received a letter of the stipulation for lobster cultivation. Not lobster export, cultivation. With four conditions, only four conditions. But until now (we) have not done lobster export. I want to straighten this out," he said.

On the other hand, Hashim admitted that he only learned about a cargo monopoly in the fry export business when the KPK arrested Edhy Prabowo was arrested related to an alleged bribery case for issuing lobster seed export permits.

Since doing this business decades ago, Hashim claims that he has never cheated, corrupted, or violated applicable regulations.

"We intend to cultivate lobsters, sea cucumbers, crabs. We want Indonesia to be a superpower. So if it is related to the export of fry, I think it is too much. I think so. I'm a little emotional, I'm sorry," he said.

For your information, the arrest of the former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo, because of the alleged bribery in the lobster seed export license case, dragged Prabowo's family and the Gerindra Party. It is because the company is on the list of lobster seed exporters.