Edhy Prabowo Allegedly Purchased Land Using Bribes From The Exporters Of Benur

Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo detained by the KPK (Photo: KPK Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspects that the former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Edhy Prabowo bought a plot of land using bribes from an exporter of shrimp fries or lobster seeds.

This allegation was then confirmed to a witness, Makmun Saleh, who was questioned on Thursday, January 28 at the KPK's Red and White House, Jakarta.

"Makmun Saleh, the retiree has his knowledge related to the alleged land purchase transaction by the EP suspect (Edhy Prabowo)," said Acting KPK spokesman for prosecution Ali Fikri in a written statement, Friday, January 29.

Apart from that, the KPK also investigated the witness's knowledge regarding the alleged source of money for the purchase of the land from fry exporters who received export license approval from a special team formed by the EP suspect.

Furthermore, in the case of the alleged bribery for the export of shrimp fries or lobster seeds, the KPK also scheduled an examination of 2 witnesses from the private sector, namely Yanni Kainama and Viza Irfa Islami.

However, these 2 witnesses were absent from the summons so that the investigators would reschedule them.

"The KPK again reminded anyone who was summoned as a witness to be cooperative in fulfilling this legal obligation," said Ali.

In the case of the export bribery of shrimp fry or lobster seeds, Edhy Prabowo was named a suspect in receiving bribes along with five other people, namely: Stafsus Minister of KKP Safri (SAF) and Andreau Pribadi Misanta (APM); Management of PT Aero Citra Kargo (PT ACK) Siswadi (SWD); The staff of the wife of the Minister of KKP, Ainul Faqih, and Amiril Mukminin (AM).

Meanwhile, the giver of the bribe was the Director of PT Dua Putra Perkasa Pratama (PT DPPP) Suharjito (SJT).

Edhy was named 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 was kept in one account of up to Rp9.8 billion and US $ 100 thousand from Suharjito through Safri and Amiril.

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to the account of PT ACK, which is currently the sole cargo service provider for the export of lobster seeds, is then withdrawn to the accounts of PT ACK holders, namely Ahmad Bahtiar and Amri, for a total of Rp9.8 billion.

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