Indonesians are celebrating one of the country’s most popular cabinet ministers in modern history following the arrest of her successor on suspicion of corruption.
According to reports, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo was arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) early this morning on suspicion of graft. Some ministry staff and Edhy’s wife, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR), were also among those apprehended by the anti-graft body.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has arrested Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo in connection with lobster larvae export permits. We'll have a comprehensive round up of this breaking story in Friday's edition of #INDONESIAINTELLIGENCERhttps://t.co/S2CAwESzL7
— IndonesiaIntelligencer (@IndoIntel) November 25, 2020
While KPK has yet to release detailed information about Edhy’s arrest, the commission has confirmed that it is connected with lobster larvae export permits issued by the ministry. In December 2019, Edhy infamously rolled back a ban on lobster larvae exports, introduced by his predecessor Susi Pudjiastuti in 2016, to meet high demand for the commodity abroad.
Susi has been one of the most vocal critics against the policy, citing sustainability concerns for the species. And now her legions of fans in Indonesia are saying a collective “I told you so” while reminiscing the good times under arguably the country’s most popular politicians.
The term “Bu Susi” (Madam Susi) has shot to the top of Twitter’s top trending topics chart this morning, filled with memes that feature her most iconic images and appreciation for the former fisheries minister.
Bu susi this morning: pic.twitter.com/s4fsHD1gOq
— Theresia Lerina (@lerinarin) November 25, 2020
meanwhile bu susi living her best life pic.twitter.com/o3CGvh2MzS
— ٰ (@dkbtbr) November 25, 2020
Bu Susi: “I'm coming back, baby!” pic.twitter.com/GTu8WI8pyA
— Yusuf Siddiq (@yusufshid) November 25, 2020
bu Susi would never!!! https://t.co/QaEojl5nD0
— desil (@pinksginger) November 25, 2020
If Edhy gets formally charged with corruption, he will have to relinquish his post as fisheries minister. Should that time come, many Indonesians would undoubtedly love to see Susi back doing the job she was clearly passionate about and excelled at. Unfortunately, politics is never that straightforward.
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