Investigated By The KPK, Edhy Prabowo Was Questioned For The Source Of Money Spent In The US

Edhy Prabowo suspect in the lobster seed export permit bribery case (Photo: KPK documentation)

JAKARTA - The KPK is investigating former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo regarding the bribery case of fries or lobster seeds. Edhy Prabowo was examined as a witness for the suspect Andreau Pribadi Misanta.

Acting KPK spokesman for prosecution Ali Fikri said Edhy was being questioned about his activities in the United States and also the purchase of a number of luxury items there.

"Investigators will deepen the knowledge concerned regarding official travel activities and activities while in the US," Ali told reporters in a written statement, Wednesday, December 23.

Not only that, investigators also grilled Edhy Prabowo with a number of questions including the source of the money he used for spending in the United States.

"Apart from that, it is also related to the purchase of goods, including bags and luxury watches of various brands during the activity, where the source of money for these goods is thought to come from exporters of fry that have obtained export permits," he said.

Apart from Edhy, six people have also been named as suspects by the KPK in this case. They are the Special Staff of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries as well as Deputy Chairperson of Safri Due Diligence Team (SAF), Special Staff of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries as well as Chief Executive of the Due Diligence Team Andreau Pribadi Misata (APM), private sector / Secretary Personal Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Amiril Mukminin (AM).

Then, the management of PT Aero Citra Kargo (ACK) Siswadi (SWD), the staff of the wife of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ainul Faqih (AF), and the Director of PT Dua Putra Perkasa (DPP) Suharjito (SJT).

The KPK named Edhy as a suspect because he was suspected of accepting bribes from companies that had been issued a lobster seed export license using a forwarder company and deposited it in one account of up to Rp9.8 billion.

The money that goes to the account of PT ACK, which is currently the sole cargo service provider for the export of lobster seeds, is then withdrawn to the accounts of PT ACK holders, namely Ahmad Bahtiar and Amri, totaling Rp9.8 billion.

Furthermore, on November 5, 2020, Ahmad Bahtiar transferred Rp3.4 billion to the staff account of Edhy's wife, Ainul, which was earmarked for the needs of Edhy, his wife Iis Rosyati Dewi, Safri, and Andreau.

Among other things, it is used for shopping for luxury goods by Edhy and his wife in Honolulu, USA on November 21 to 23, 2020, amounting to around IDR 750 million, including Rolex watches, Tumi and LV bags, road bikes, and Old Navy clothes.

In addition, around May 2020, Edhy was also suspected of receiving 100 thousand US dollars from Suharjito through Safri and Amiril.