Oh, to be rewarded for your good work. The Supreme Court has slashed four years off of former Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo’s nine-year corruption sentence after taking into consideration the disgraced politician’s achievements while in office.
In its ruling for the graft convict’s appeal, the court reversed a previous decision by the Jakarta High Court’s to tack on another four years to the Gerindra party politician’s initial five-year sentence.
“The convict, in his capacity as Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister, did a good job and inspired hope for fishermen,” the Supreme Court’s ruling read, which was published on its official website yesterday.
In addition, the Supreme Court has reduced Edhy’s ban from partaking in politics following his release from three years to two.
The court’s ruling has not been well received by the general public, with experts pointing out that this is yet another example of the country’s judicial system being far too lenient on corrupt politicians.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) arrested Edhy in November 2020 on suspicion of receiving bribes amounting to nearly US$2 million in connection 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.
The KPK originally demanded five years’ imprisonment for Edhy, which the Corruption Court fulfilled after finding the politician guilty of corruption. During the appeals process, the Jakarta High Court handed a heavier punishment on Edhy, sentencing him to four more years in prison.
