The Team Formed By Edhy Prabowo Is Suspected Of Being The Intermediary For Bribes For Fry Exporters

Acting Spokesperson for the Corruption Eradication Committee (KPK) (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators question the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo regarding the process of forming a due diligence team for lobster aquaculture business permits.

Acting KPK Spokesperson for Enforcement Affairs Ali Fikri said investigators asked this when examining Edhy as a suspect, Wednesday, January 13 yesterday.

Meanwhile, Edhy appointed two special staff, namely Andreau Pribadi Misata and Safri as chairman and deputy head of the due diligence team. The team is suspected of brokering bribes from the fry exporters for Edhy. Andreau and Safri themselves have assumed the status of suspects in the same case.

"His knowledge (Edhy Prabowo) was explored regarding the reasons and the basis for the formation and appointment of the Lobster Cultivation Fishery Business License due diligence team which was suspected as an intermediary in receiving a number of 'fees' from lobster seed exporters," Ali said in an official broadcast, Jakarta, Thursday, January 14.

In this case, investigators also examined a civil servant, Edwar Heppy, as a witness to complete the case file for the owner of PT Dua Putra Perkasa (DPP) Suharjito, who was a suspected bribe to Edhy. However, Edwar Heppy, who serves as the Head of the Kaur Regency Fisheries Service, Bengkulu Province, is absent from the investigators' summons.

"The person concerned confirms that there is a rescheduling," said Ali.

It is known that the KPK has appointed Edhy Prabowo as Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries along with two of his staff, Safri and Andreau Pribadi Misata; the management of PT Aero Citra Kargo (PT ACK) named Siswadi; the wife of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries staff named Ainul Faqih; and Amiril Mukminin was named a suspect in receiving bribes related to the export license for fry. Meanwhile, the suspect who gave the bribe was the Chairman of PT Dua Putra Perkasa Pratama (PT DPPP), Suharjito.

Edhy Prabowo and five other people are suspected of accepting bribes from Suharjito and a number of exporters related to the export license for fry, whose transportation services can only use PT Aero Citra Kargo.