Criticised by MUI, Pramono Promises to Improve the Culling of Janitor Fish Buried Alive

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has responded to criticism from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) regarding the method of culling janitor fish (ikan sapu-sapu) by burying them while still alive. He assured that he will evaluate the procedure. “Regarding the question earlier, there is advice and criticism from MUI, so I will ask the experts to adjust the method,” Pramono said when met in the Kebayoran area, Central Jakarta, on Sunday (19/4/2026). The fish are even said to dominate the aquatic ecosystem. “Indeed, janitor fish in Jakarta’s water biota already exceed 60 percent. Even the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries reports more than 70 percent, but I state more than 60 percent,” he said. He mentioned that from just one day of the culling operation, the catch was already very large. In South Jakarta, the amount reached more than 3.5 tonnes, while the total was nearly 6.5 tonnes. “We will continue, and specifically as I mentioned, Jakarta will have PPSU to periodically clean janitor fish in Jakarta. Because if not, Jakarta’s water ecosystem will certainly be damaged,” Pramono said. Previously, Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission KH Miftahul Huda assessed that the method of burying fish while alive contradicts sharia principles and animal welfare. Kiai Miftah explained that burying fish alive violates two main principles, namely rahmatan lil ’alamin and animal welfare (kesrawan). He considered this method potentially causing unnecessary suffering to animals. MUI stated that the DKI Provincial Government’s policy in controlling janitor fish or pleco has value in public interest. This step is seen as aligned with the principle of hifz al-biah or environmental protection. “It aligns with maqasid syariah, entering the category of modern ecological dharuriyyat,” said Kiai Miftah as quoted from the MUI website on Saturday (18/4/2026). In addition, the policy is also seen to support the principle of hifz an-nasl or the sustainability of living creatures. On the other hand, MUI assessed that the method of burying fish while alive raises issues from a sharia perspective. Kiai Miftah explained that killing animals is permitted if there is public interest, but it must be done in a good way. The method of burying alive is considered to prolong death and contain elements of torture. For information, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has conducted a simultaneous janitor fish catching operation in five administrative city areas on Friday (17/4/2026).