Emil Salim, NU, Muhammadiyah Against Lobster Hatchlings Export

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former minister of environment Emil Salim expressed his objection against the government’s policy on the export of lobster hatchlings. Previously, the two largest Islamic organizations Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah issued similar statements.

Emil argued that permitting the export of lobster seeds could lower the opportunity of fishermen to increase the commodity’s added value and their income.

“[The export permit] is solely for the benefit of exporters to export lobster seeds to our competitors aboard,” said Emil via his Twitter account @emilsalim2010 on Saturday, August 8.

A senior economist also urged President Joko Jokowi Widodo to annul the regulation carried out by Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo, which he deemed harmful for Indonesia.

“I ask President @jokowi to annul the Ministerial Decree No. 12/202020 dated 4/5/2020 which allows 318 million lobster seeds to be exported in three months in order to export 365 million hatchlings per year for the next three years,” Emil Salim tweeted.

As widely reported earlier, Nahdlatul Ulama’s Bahtsul Masail Institute released a study result, concluding that the export must be stopped. “The government must prioritize lobster cultivation in the country,” as quoted from the research document.

Muhammadiyah also objected to the regulation that opened the export of lobster hatchlings as the move would not provide long-term benefits. The central executive chairman Anwar Abbas demanded the government re-study the policy.

Read also: Emil Salim: Indonesia will Drown in 2045 due to Climate Change

MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO