Lobster Seed Corruption Case Development, KPPU: There Are Business Actors Detained By KPK

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has continued to deepen a number of witnesses regarding the bribery case for the export of lobster clear seeds (BBL) or fry that dragged the former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo. The anti-rasuah institution also collaborates with the Business Competition Supervision Commission (KPPU) to deepen other evidence.

Edhy Prabowo was named a suspect along with six other people. They are Edhy; the special staff of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Safri and Andreau Pribadi Misanta; management of PT ACK, Siswadi; the minister's staff wife, Ainul Faqih; and Amiril Mukminin.

One suspect is suspected of being the giver, namely the Director of PT DPP Suharjito. Edhy is suspected of receiving Rp3.4 billion and US $ 100 thousand in the corruption. Part of the money is used by Edhy Prabowo to shop with his wife and Safri in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Deputy Chairman of KPPU, Guntur Saragih, revealed the development of the lobster seed corruption case. He said, there were a number of witnesses who came from business people. Currently, the reported party has been investigated and secured at the KPK detention center.

Guntur said, the KPPU will continue to coordinate with the anti-rasuah agency to resolve the lobster seed corruption case.

"The process is that some of our reporters were detained by the KPK, at the KPK detention center. We are side by side, of course KPPU will establish a relationship with the KPK to be able to settle the lobster case," he said in a webinar, Friday, January 22.

Previously, the KPPU had raised the lobster seed export monopoly case to the investigation stage. This is because there is sufficient evidence from the research process that has been taking place since November 10, 2020.

KPPU's Director of Investigation, Goppera Panggabean, said that there were three perpetrators who were suspected of being involved in this case. The three of them are PT Aero Citra Kargo (ACK), Chairperson of the Due Diligence Team from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), and Chairman of the Indonesian Lobster Entrepreneurs Association as the lobbyist.

"So from our initial findings. We can see that there are actions reported, there are three here, namely PT Aero Citra Kargo or PT ACK, then the Chairman of the Due Diligence Test Team for Lobster Cultivation Planning Business Licenses and the Chair of the Indonesian Lobster Entrepreneurs Association. "he said in a virtual press conference some time ago.

The three of them were suspected of violating Article 24 because of a conspiracy. Based on their findings, the three perpetrators were suspected of conspiring to block other competitors from offering clear lobster seed cargo services abroad.

They were also suspected of violating Article 17. In the findings, PT ACK was suspected of violating Article 17. The company was suspected of having a monopoly on the delivery of clear lobster seed cargoes abroad.

"The export of lobster clear seeds is only carried out by one freight forwarder company that sends lobster clear seeds abroad. PT ACK in its initial findings has a market power where shipping rates above the price that should be cheaper are chosen by exporters," he said.