Edhy Prabowo Complains That He Can't Meet His Family: I Ask For Help If I Can Visit Him

Edhy Prabowo suspected of lobster seed export bribery case (DOK. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo, a suspect in the lobster seed export license bribery case, complained that he had not been able to meet his family for two months.

"It's been two months, for me it is not easy. I need family moral support. If possible, I can see it directly. Then I ask for help, even though it's limited, there are not many people including meeting my lawyer because I need coordination," said Edhy Prabowo after being examined. KPK, quoted by Antara, Thursday, January 21.

According to him, meeting with his family directly can strengthen his morale in facing the cases that are currently trapping him.

"If it is possible to strengthen it, we can visit directly with the COVID-19 regulations, we can wear masks, (tests) swabs. So, within limits," said Edhy Prabowo.

He also asked the Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly to give permission to visit the family to the KPK detention center.

"I hope that I am carrying out this task. My responsibility is on this occasion if I can ask the authorities to give the Minister of Law and Human Rights the opportunity to allow family visits. Even though I know COVID-19, there is a mechanism," he said.

Previously, Acting KPK spokesman Ali Fikri said that his agency had indeed changed the technicality of the prisoners meeting mechanism on the grounds of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the KPK denied that it was said to limit the rights of suspects and defendants to meet with their lawyers.

"We certainly understand very well what the rights of the suspect and defendant are in accordance with the applicable criminal procedure law. So far, there has never been a limitation of this right, only the technical matter of the mechanism has changed due to the COVID-19 outbreak," Ali said.

In the COVID-19 pandemic situation, he said, meetings between legal advisors and detainees, as well as family visits, can still be carried out online according to the set schedule and time.