Kiara on Trenggono as New Minister: Jokowi Will Repeat Mistakes on Lobster

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The People's Coalition for Fisheries Justice (Kiara) secretary-general Susan Herawati voiced criticism and questioned President Jokowi’s decision to inaugurate Sakti Wahyu Trenggono as the new Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs. 

Kiara doubted that Trenggono would create comprehensive changes in the ministry’s body after Edhy Prabowo was arrested by the anti-graft body (KPK).

Besides, Susan added, Trenggono had no experience in managing the sovereignty of the maritime community, let alone marine and fisheries issues.

"Does the President have no better person to choose to take care of the ministry that is responsible to millions of fishermen, fisherwomen, salt farmers, and millions of other coastal communities?" said Susan in a written statement on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020.

She further outlined two bad track records of the new minister. First, Trenggono is the person behind the lobster seed export company, namely PT Agro Industri Nasional (Agrinas).

“By placing Sakti Wahyu Trenggono as Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Jokowi will repeat the mistakes made by Edhy Prabowo related to the lobster seed export policy. We remind this, do not let the power of relations and the background of the new minister legalize the exploitation of fishery resources, especially lobsters,” said Susan.

Secondly, she went on, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono had served as Commissioner of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk, a gold mining company that exploited the Tumpang Pitu mountain area in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java.

“This company is proven to destroy Mount Tumpang Pitu and pollute the fishing area in Pancer and the coast of Pulau Merah,” Susan said.

Read: Jokowi Inaugurates Six New Ministers for Indonesia; Including Health Minister

HENDARTYO HANGGI