Dead fish no crime: police

JAKARTA: A police laboratory test has revealed that the cause of death of thousands of fish in Jakarta Bay last month was a natural phenomenon.

"It was caused by the extensive proliferation of phytoplankton, which is natural," Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara said on Friday.

The police findings support the conclusion of the Jakarta Environmental Impact Management Agency.

"As there is no criminal factor in the case, we won't start a criminal investigation," Makbul added.

The test was conducted at the forensic laboratory of the National Police Headquarters.

People had initially accused factories near Jakarta Bay of discharging untreated waste into the sea. --JP