The government has issued a circular that suspends the issuance of documents for lobster larvae exports, effectively halting such exports indefinitely.
he government has ordered an evaluation into a controversial policy that allows exports of lobster larvae, but critics are doubtful of the seriousness of policymakers in addressing the issue, particularly as Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan has signaled that he might continue the policy.
The move followed the arrest of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo for allegedly accepting kickbacks amounting to Rp 3.4 billion (US$241,577) and $100,000 from a lobster larvae exporting company, reportedly to secure export permits for the company. Edhy and six other individuals have been named suspects by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).
Acting as the ad-interim fisheries minister following Edhy's arrest, Luhut ordered the evaluation into the lobster larvae export policy, his spokesperson revealed on Saturday.
The government, through the Maritime and Fisheries Ministry, which is under Luhut’s authority, also issued on Thursday a circular that suspends the issuance of documents for lobster larvae exports, automatically suspending such exports indefinitely.
“The policy regarding lobster larvae is still being evaluated. Yesterday [Friday], the coordinating minister said that if it’s good enough, we should keep [the policy and] shouldn’t worry about whether it’s the right thing to do,” the minister’s spokesperson, Jodi Mahardi, said on Saturday.
He added that Luhut had said the government should distinguish between bad policies and poor or corrupt practices when executing a policy.
However, activist M. Abdi Suhufan from Destructive Fishing Watch (DFW) said the government’s review was likely just “lip-service” because it was expended to respond to the controversy following the high-profile arrest.
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