Could Indonesia’s lobster corruption scandal put an end to Prabowo’s presidential dream?

Fisheries minister Edhy Prabowo was arrested over his involvement in the exchange of cash for permits to export lobster larvae

The scandal could affect President Joko Widodo’s plans for infrastructure reform, as well as Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto’s long-held aims for the top job

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Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo escorted by security officers after a press conference on November 26, 2020. Photo: AP

Published: 9:49pm, 26 Nov 2020Updated: 10:04am, 27 Nov 2020

The arrest of Indonesia’s fisheries minister over his suspected role in a corruption case involving lobster larvae could shape up to be a test for both President Joko Widodo, as he embarks on a bold infrastructure plan, and his defence minister Prabowo Subianto.

Widodo’s PDI-P is in a coalition that includes the Gerindra party headed by Prabowo, an ultraconservative politician who has long harboured aims for the top job.

Edhy Prabowo, Gerindra’s deputy chairman and Indonesia’s current maritime affairs and fisheries minister, was on Wednesday arrested and named as one of six people involved in the exchange of bribes for permits to export lobster larvae this year, the anti-corruption agency (KPK) said.

Edhy Prabowo, right, has been a close aide of Prabowo Subianto for years. Photo: Antara Foto/Reuters

Due to depleting stocks, his predecessor in the maritime affairs ministry, Susi Pudjiastuti, banned the export of lobster larvae in 2016 – a rule Edhy revoked earlier this year.

According to the KPK, he used the ill-gotten money on a luxury shopping spree with his wife during a visit to the United States last week.

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