Indonesia Highlights: Indonesian Minister Named as Suspect in Bribery Case | Police Deepen Probe into Islamic Defenders Front’s Health Protocol Violations in Indonesia | 3 Indonesian Soldiers Wounded in Shootout Against Insurgents in Papua

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The net is quickly closing on Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo, as the Corruption Eradication Commission [KPK] officially named him a suspect in kickbacks involving lobster seeds and other fisheries related issues.

The Indonesian National Police is just as busy gathering evidence on the Islamic Defenders Front [FPI], to determine that they violated Covid-19 health protocols in their homecoming of controversial chief Rizieq Shihab, after he returned from his three-year exile in Saudi Arabia.

And last but not least, a shootout between Indonesian military forces in Papua and insurgents in the strife-ridden province left three Indonesian soldiers wounded. Read on for more on these stories:

ANTARAFOTO/Indrianto Eko Suwarso Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chairman Nawawi Pomolango (3rd-left), who is accompanied by KPK law enforcement deputy Karyoto (left) hold a press conference after the arrest of several people who allegedly involve in corruption case related to lobster seed export at the KPK building in Jakarta in the early hours of Thursday, November 26, 2020. KPK has named seven suspects, including Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo. ANTARA FOTO/Indrianto Eko Suwarso/aww.

1. Indonesian Minister Named a Suspect in Bribery Case

Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission or KPK has formally named Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo as a suspect over kickbacks related to the fisheries sector.

“The KPK has named seven suspects in this case, among them EP [Edhy Prabowo],” said KPK deputy chairman Nawawi Pomolango on the evening of Wednesday, 25 November.

Investigators arrested the Gerindra party politician, along with his family and officials from the ministry upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Wednesday morning from a working visit to Hawaii.

The KPK apprehended 17 people in a series of sting operations in Jakarta, Depok, and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport,.

Edhy is accused of receiving about 3.4 billion rupiahs ($240,000) from several companies through his assistants. If found guilty, they could face up to 20 years’ in jail.

The State Secretariat has appointed Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as Acting Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in Edhy’s place.

The appointment affirmed the retired four star general’s standing as President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo’s jack-of-all trades.

Source:

https://go.kompas.com/read/2020/11/26/215154074/indonesian-minister-named-as-suspect-in-bribe-charge?page=all#page2.   

KOMPAS.COM/AFDHALUL IKHSAN FPI head Rizieq Shihab speaks during a visit to an FPI-run religious school in Bogor, West Java [13/11/2020]

2. Indonesian Police Further Investigates FPI Health Protocol Violations

The Indonesian National Police is set to take further action against the Islamic Defenders Front [FPI], after the group repeatedly flaunted health protocols following the return of their exiled chief Rizieq Shihab earlier this month.