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.

“[The Jakarta Metropolitan Police] have decided to step up efforts against the FPI from an inquiry into a full investigation,” said Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesman, Chief Commissioner Yusri Yunus on 26 November.

“We found evidence that the FPI violated health protocols under a 2018 law on health quarantines.”

Police in West Java also launched a full investigation of Rizieq’s activities in the province, such as his visit to an FPI-run religious school near the city of Bogor.

The national police fired the chiefs of the Jakarta and West Java Regional Police for failing to enforce health protocols. The police also questioned Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil for allowing the gatherings to take place.

The FPI gatherings also raised concerns about the spread of more Covid-19 clusters in Jakarta.

Source:

https://go.kompas.com/read/2020/11/27/031544674/police-deepen-probe-into-islamic-defenders-fronts-health-protocol-violations-in?page=all#page2. 

Illustration of a shooting

3. 3 Indonesian Soldiers Wounded in Shootout Against Insurgents

The ongoing insurgency at the Indonesian province of Papua continues, as a shootout between Indonesian military forces and indigenous insurgents designated as ‘armed criminal groups’ or KKB left three soldiers wounded.

“The 30-minute firefight occurred as Indonesian forces carried out a routine patrol at the Nduga regency on Thursday, 26 November,” Indonesian Army spokesman Colonel IGN Suriastawa said in a statement released on Thursday evening.

“The casualties were rushed from the shootout to the Mimika General Hospital. We suspect that the KKB, who are still at large, is from a group led by insurgent Egianus Kogoya.”

Tensions in Papua remained high after the killing of Papuan priest Yeremia Zanambani at the Intan Jaya regency last September.

The National Commission on Human Rights [Komnas Ham] and the Joint Fact Finding Team [TGPF] suspected Indonesian forces of complicity behind his death.

Source:

https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/26/22311731/kronologi-kkb-serang-pasukan-tni-yang-sedang-patroli-di-nduga-3-prajurit?page=all#page2.