Burial of Sailfin Catfish Draws Scrutiny, Susi Pudjiastuti Suggests Grinding into Pellets

Former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, Susi Pudjiastuti, has proposed to the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, that captured sailfin catfish be ground to make feed or chopped for plant fertiliser. According to detikNews, the destruction of captured sailfin catfish by burial has been highlighted by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). This is because the method of burying them alive is considered to involve elements of torture. “Just make it into fish feed or livestock feed, ground into fish pellets,” said Susi when contacted on Monday (20/4/2026). Susi also suggested that the catch of sailfin catfish be cut into pieces and buried in agricultural land as fertiliser. “Or it can be plant fertiliser, plant fertiliser can be sent to plantations, chopped and buried in agricultural land,” she explained. Susi added that sailfin catfish waste could also be given to crab farmers or crocodile farmers. “Or give it to crab farmers after freezing, or crocodile farmers,” she said. It is known that the Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission, Miftahul Huda, previously stated there is the principle of rahmatan lil ’alamin and the principle of animal welfare or kesrawan (animal welfare). From a sharia perspective, he explained, killing animals is permitted if it brings goodness. However, burying them alive involves torture. “That method is considered to cause unnecessary suffering,” said Miftah quoted from the MUI Digital page, Sunday (19/4). Miftah also touched on the issue from the perspective of animal welfare ethics. Burying alive is considered inhumane and does not minimise suffering. Nevertheless, Miftah stated that the Jakarta Provincial Government’s policy to control sailfin catfish is good because it is to protect the environment. Since sailfin catfish can damage ecosystems. “That aligns with maqāṣid syariah, namely in the category of modern ecological ḍharūriyyāt,” said Miftah.