During The Benur Bribery Session, The Judge Asked Ali Mochtar Ngabalin's Capacity To Join A Trip To Hawaii

Main Expert Staff of the Presidential Office (KSP) Ali Mochtar Ngabalin (Photo: DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Head of Public Relations of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Desri Yanti said that Ali Mochtar Ngabalin could go on a trip to Hawaii with Edhy Prabowo because he was on the list of high-ranking officials at the KKP.

This statement was conveyed by Desri when he testified in the trial of the alleged bribery of the lobster seed export license or fry with the accused Director of PT Dua Putera Perkasa Pratama (PT DPP), Suharjito.

Initially, Desri explained Edhy Prabowo's travel agenda with KKP officials to Hawaii. Until the explanation mentioned the name Ali Mochtar Ngabalin, who had problems when moving hotels.

"Well, it turns out that when the PCR results obtained from Los Angeles (LA) were already last minute, so while the PCR results were out at noon, we were already at the airport. Then the Indonesian Embassy helped to register online, apparently there was something not verified properly so that the application for the travel barcode does not appear, "Desri said in a trial at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Wednesday, March 17.

"So this barcode was then asked by the hotel. There were two delegates, Mr. Slamet and Mr. Ngabalin, who didn't have one," he continued.

Hearing this statement, the presiding judge Albertus Usada confirmed the two names mentioned by Desri. The goal is that there are no misperceptions in the examination at the trial.

"Slamet who?" asked the judge.

"Slamet Soebjakto is the Director General of Aquaculture," answered Desri.

"Then who is Ngabalin?" said the judge again asking questions.

"If Mr. Mochtar Ngabalin Sir," said Desri.

Then, Albertus again expressed the capacity of Ali Mochtar Ngabalin to join the trip. Desri also answered if the man who also served as the Main Expert of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) also had a position in the KKP.

"He is an advisor to the Public Stakeholders Commission," said Desri.

In the alleged bribery case for the lobster seed export permit, the Director of PT Dua Putera Perkasa Pratama (PT DPP), Suharjito, was charged with bribing the former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Edhy Prabowo in the amount of IDR 2.1 billion. The bribe is related to the export license for lobster or fry.

"Defendant Suharjito has committed several acts that have such a relationship that it must be seen as a continuing act, namely giving or promising something, namely giving something in the form of a total of USD 103 thousand and Rp 706,055,440 to Civil Servants or State Administrators, namely to Edhy Prabowo as Minister. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia (KP-RI Minister), "said KPK prosecutor Siswandono in a trial at the Corruption Court, Jakarta, Thursday, February 11.

The amount of bribes amounting to Rp2.1 billion represents the accumulated money given. This is because, if converted to rupiah, 103 thousand United States (US) dollars are worth Rp. 1,441,799,150 or around Rp1.4 billion.

The indictment also stated that Suharjito gave bribes to Edhy Prabowo through the special staff of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Safri and Andrau Misanta Pribadi. In addition, the name of Edhy's Personal Secretary, Amiril Mukminin, and Ainul Faqih as the personal staff of Edhy Prabowo's wife, namely, Iis Rosita Dewi, were also written.

Suharjito was charged with Article 5 paragraph (1) letter a or Article 13 of the Corruption Eradication Law in conjunction with Article 64 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.