TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo claimed he did not know the witness in the bribery case of lobster seeds, Deden Deni, who recently died.

“I don't know him,” said Edhy in front of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) building after being questioned today, January 4, 2021.

When asked further that Deden was a witness in the case and had died, Edhy shortly replied that he did not know.

Previously reported, Deden died on December 31, 2020. He was the director of PT Perishable Logistic Indonesia who allegedly collaborated with PT Aero Citra Kargo (PT ACK) in the exports of lobster hatchlings.

The anti-graft body briefly questioned Deden on December 8, 2020, to investigate the process of applying for an export permit in PT ACK. Deden was also one of the witnesses who were banned from leaving the country for the case.

Meanwhile, PT ACK was the only cargo company that had obtained a permit to transport the commodity abroad.

Through this company, Edhy and other suspects were suspected of receiving some of the delivery fees. The funds were allegedly transferred to the bank accounts of PT ACK holders, Ahmad Bahtiar and Amri. The KPK suspected that the two were nominees from Edhy Prabowo.

KPK acting spokesperson Ali Fikri said that Deden's death did not hamper the investigation into the lobster seed export bribery case. “[The investigation] is still running and of course there are still many witnesses and other pieces of evidence that strengthen the proof of the alleged corruption committed by the suspects,” he said.

Read: Key Witness in Govt Lobster Seed Export Scandal Dies: KPK

M ROSSENO AJI