Indonesian minister apologizes after arrest on bribe charge

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s anti-corruption commission formally named the country's fisheries minister as a suspect in taking bribes related to exports of lobster larvae, and alleged he used the money on a luxury shopping spree during a visit to the United States.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Edhy Prabowo was arrested upon arrival at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport early Wednesday from a working visit to the U.S., the deputy chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission, Nurul Ghufron, told Kompas TV.

Prabowo apologized, saying, “I will be responsible for what I have done.”

He was later named as a suspect along with five other officials and a businessman for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for permits related to exports of lobster larvae and other commodities this year.

The anti-corruption commission, known in Indonesia by its acronym KPK, said Prabowo is accused of receiving at least 3.4 billion rupiah ($240,000) from several companies through his two personal assistants, who were also named as suspects, this month.

Another deputy chairman of the KPK, Nawawi Pamolango, told a news conference just before midnight that Prabowo and his wife had spent some of the money to buy branded goods during their U.S. visit, including a Rolex watch and Louis Vuitton bags.

Prabowo earlier this year rolled back a ban on lobster larvae exports put in place by his predecessor. That decision sparked criticism from his predecessor and activists over sustainability concerns.

President Joko Widodo said he respected the decision of the anti-corruption commission to arrest Prabowo.

“I believe the KPK works in a transparent, open and professional manner,” Widodo told reporters. “The government consistently supports corruption...