Criticised by MUI Over Janitor Fish Burial, Pramono: Procedures Will Be Adjusted

The Jakarta Provincial Government began capturing janitor fish on Friday (17/4/2026). However, the operation was criticised by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) because the burial of the fish violated principles.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated he would follow up on MUI’s suggestions regarding the procedures for burying the captured janitor fish. According to him, the Jakarta Provincial Government would seek advice from experts to adjust the burial procedures for janitor fish.

“Regarding the earlier question about the suggestions and criticism from MUI, I will ask the experts to adjust the procedures,” he said on Sunday (19/4/2026).

He explained that the operation to capture janitor fish from rivers in Jakarta was aimed at preserving the ecosystem. The uncontrolled presence of janitor fish could threaten endemic aquatic animals in the river areas.

“Indeed, janitor fish in Jakarta’s water biota are already more than 60 percent. In fact, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries actually reported to me more than 70 percent,” he said.

Therefore, the Jakarta Provincial Government would continue the janitor fish capture operations. The Jakarta Provincial Government also plans to form a special team to control the janitor fish population.

“We will continue, and specifically as I mentioned, Jakarta will have a PPSU to periodically clean janitor fish in Jakarta. Because if not, Jakarta’s water ecosystem will certainly be damaged,” he said.

It is known that in the janitor fish capture operation carried out last Friday, a total of 68,880 fish or 6.98 tonnes of janitor fish were captured from Jakarta’s waters. The operation was carried out simultaneously in five administrative city areas of Jakarta involving 640 personnel.

Head of the Jakarta Provincial Food Security, Maritime, and Fisheries Office (KPKP), Hasudungan A Sidabalok, said the capture was carried out because the species has the potential to damage the environment. Janitor fish can disrupt natural habitats and affect ecosystem balance through their habit of digging riverbeds and banks.

“This mass janitor fish capture operation is a short-term strategy aimed at quickly suppressing the janitor fish population and preventing wider spread, so coordination will later be carried out with relevant parties, such as between administrative city areas, the Environmental Agency, and other related parties so that this action can be carried out on a larger scale with more frequent frequency,” Hasudungan stated.