Indonesian Government Officials Told Not to Meddle in Edhy Prabowo’s Corruption Case

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesian government officials have been advised to stay out of the corruption case involving then-Fisheries Minister, Edhy Prabowo.

The advice offered by Researcher of the Center for Anti-Corruption Studies at Gadjah Mada University, Zaenur Rohman, comes after Luhut Pandjaitan asked the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to not go overboard in investigating Edhy Prabowo’s case.

Zaenur asserts that an Indonesian government official is not to be involved in the law enforcement aspect carried out by the KPK.

“I find Luhut’s statement inappropriate because the government is not supposed to meddle in law enforcement measures done by the KPK which in this case is about investigation matters.”

Read also: Indonesian Minister Edhy Prabowo Arrested Over Lobster Seed Export

For Zaenur, Luhut Panjaitan’s additional role as the ad interim Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries should see him offer his utmost support to the KPK in completing their findings into the Edhy Prabowo case.

One way that Luhut could have approached the situation is to direct civil servants of Indonesia’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to assist with investigators of the case until the process is completed.

“Luhut could have also extended his support as the ad interim minister to ask all parties to respect the law and justice system that is implemented by the KPK and to not block any proceedings that are currently being undertaken.”

Read also: KPK Demands 10 Year Sentence For Disgraced Former Minister

Zaenur is confident that the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission will sentence the now-former Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister professional and proportionally.