Edhy Prabowo Arrested; Ministry Asked to Revoke Lobster Seed Export Rules

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) Head of Executive Advocacy Department, Zenzi Suhadi, asked the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to revoke the regulation on lobster seed export.

Zenzi said the request was made following the arrest of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the export. “As long as the ministerial regulation is not annulled, the potential for corruption is still open,” he told Tempo today, November 25, 2020.

Minister Eddy was arrested in the early hours of today at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport over lobster seed export. His wife and the ministry officials were also nabbed by the anti-graft body.

Zenzi explained that a high number of business entities permitted to export the commodity would push them to compete for a quota. Last July, the ministry granted permits to 31 companies.

“The export of lobster seeds must be stopped if [the government] wants to position the sea as a source of food,” he underlined.

Zenzi further suggested President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo appoint a new minister who is committed to annulling the ministerial regulation on the commodity export. He also encouraged the KPK to investigate other players behind the alleged corruption case.

“This should be remembered that a regulation is issued not only because of the opportunity in terms of authority but also the high interest and support from other parties,” Zenzi said.

Read: Ministry Revokes 14 Export Permits of Lobster Seeds

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA