ICW Suspects Argument From KPK Deputy For Enforcement Regarding KKP Secretary General Antam Novambar

Deputy of Enforcement by KPK Karyoto (DOK. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) is suspicious of the statement by the Deputy for Enforcement and Execution of the KPK, Karyoto, regarding the Secretary General of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Antam Novambar.

Karyoto said that Antam Novambar's statement was no longer needed regarding the bribery case for the export of fry with the suspect Edhy Prabowo.

"ICW suspects that the statement by the Deputy for Enforcement does not represent the attitude of the KPK investigators but rather a personal desire that is reluctant to examine certain parties, including the Secretary General of the KKP, Antam Novambar," said ICW researcher Kurnia Ramadhana in a written statement to reporters, Thursday, March 25.

This suspicion arose after Karyoto's statement was different from the statement made by Acting KPK spokesman for the prosecution Ali Fikri regarding Antam Novambar.

At that time, said Kurnia, Ali had stated that former Maritime Affairs Minister Edhy Prabowo had ordered a written order against Antam regarding a bank guarantee. Because of this, ICW considers that the former Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigation of the National Police is aware of the issues related to the case. According to ICW, Antam should be examined by investigators.

"Moreover, the statement made by the Deputy for Enforcement seemed to want to emphasize the fact that Antam had actually been sent a summons as witnesses some time ago by the KPK," he said.

In addition, ICW also said that it was odd if the KPK did not investigate the parties suspected of being connected to confiscated items. The goods in question are money from a bank guarantee amounting to Rp52.3 billion originating from exporters of fries or lobster seeds.

"For this reason, ICW encourages the KPK leadership to reprimand the Deputy for Enforcement for issuing a statement that is contrary to the work of KPK investigators," he said.

Previously reported, KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution, Karyoto, said that the information from KKP Secretary General Antam Novambar and KKP Inspector General Muhammad Yusuf was no longer needed. The reason was that the flow of money in this case was clear.

In addition, investigators have already obtained sufficient evidence related to the actions committed by the former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Edhy Prabowo. Moreover, the files of the suspects in the bribery case have been submitted to the public prosecutor (JPU).

The KPK has scheduled an examination of Antam and Yusuf on Wednesday, March 17.

However, at that time it was Yusuf who had complied with the investigators' summons and was examined regarding a bank guarantee which was suspected to be the mode of receiving money from exporters. Meanwhile, Antam argued that he was out of town at that time.

Regarding the bank guarantee, the anti-corruption commission suspects that Edhy Prabowo as the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries ordered Antam Novambar to make a written order.

The KPK said this letter was related to the withdrawal of bank guarantees from exporters to the Head of the Fish Quarantine, Quality Control and Safety of Fishery Products (BKIPM). Furthermore, the Head of BKIPM ordered the Head of the Soekarno Hatta Jakarta Large Quarantine Office to accept the Bank Guarantee.

However, it was later discovered that the rules for submitting bank guarantees as a form of commitment to the implementation of lobster seed export had never existed.