Examine Edhy Prabowo, KPK Investigates Bank Guarantee Of Benur Exporters

Edhy Prabowo (DOK. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators are still investigating the Bank Guarantee submitted by the fry exporters at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.

The deepening was carried out by examining Edhy Prabowo, a former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries who was a suspect in receiving bribes.

The former Gerindra Party politician was questioned as a witness for the suspect Amiril Mukminin who was a former special staff member, and other suspects.

"The investigating team is still digging into the Rp52.3 billion bank guarantee which was handed over to exporters who obtained the export license for clear lobster seeds at the KKP in 2020," said Acting KPK spokesman for the field of prosecution Ali Fikri in a written statement to reporters on Thursday, March 18th.

Previously, on Monday, March 15, KPK investigators confiscated Rp.52.3 billion in cash that was suspected of being a Bank Guarantee.

Regarding this Bank Guarantee, the KPK has examined a number of witnesses including the Inspector General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Muhammad Yusuf on Wednesday, March 17 yesterday.

After being investigated, he said that the Rp53.2 billion in cash confiscated from the Bank Guarantee was not related to the alleged bribery for the export of lobster fries or seeds.

In addition, he also said that the money suspected by the KPK was related to fry bribery did not violate the law. "Nothing has been violated," Yusuf told reporters at the KPK's Red and White House, South Jakarta

He explained the origin of the money confiscated by the KPK. The money is there because initially there was a ban on catching lobster seeds before the issuance of the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation Number 12 of 2020 concerning Lobster Management.

According to him, the regulation on the prohibition of catching lobster seeds issued by the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Maritime Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti strangled lobster fishermen. Not only that, Yusuf also said, lobster supplies are also abundant in the oceans.

"In the sea it is abundant, then the survey rate is only 0.01 percent. If it is not caught, it will not be taken, it will be redundant. He will die," he said.

Seeing this condition, the KKP cannot leave the abundant lobster seeds untapped. In addition, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, fishermen also need to earn a living so that the ministry makes regulations on the export of lobster seeds.

"The assumption then is that we also provide a minimum price, at least for exporters to buy rather than fishermen," he said.

This is what underlies the CTF's price of IDR 5,000 for one sand type lobster seed. Then, Rp. 10,000 for the type of nickel lobster seed.

With this regulation, fry exporters can finally sell to Vietnam. However, when this is done, the state does not get any benefits.

Because of that, the KKP asked the Ministry of Finance to make a regulation that helps Permen No.12 of 2020. The regulations issued relate to the existence of a special fee for exporting lobster seeds.

"By the Ministry (Finance, red) it is combined into PNBP (non-tax state revenue)," explained Yusuf.

However, the regulation regarding PNPB for lobster seed export has not been issued. Because, the government prioritizes the rules regarding the Job Creation Law.

KKP, continued Yusuf, also has not received any benefits. It's just that, exporters make a promise to provide a guarantee and this is what makes the Bank Guarantee a guarantee.

Yusuf claims the KKP has not used the money in the Bank Guarantee. The reason was, at that time, the KPK immediately arrested Edhy Prabowo and his men after a trip from Hawaii, United States.

"Please understand that the Bank Guarantee is not the right of the KKP. It is not the right of anyone either. There is still an open right to the Bank Guarantee. That's the story," he said.