DKI DPRD Urges Tighter Oversight of Sailfin Catfish Distribution to Prevent Use in Siomay

A member of the DKI Jakarta DPRD from the PDI Perjuangan faction, Hardiyanto Kenneth, has urged for tightened oversight of sailfin catfish captures to prevent their processing into food products such as siomay. Kenneth views enforcement actions as necessary following the arrest of several individuals by the Municipal Police Unit (Satpol PP) who were processing sailfin catfish in the Kali Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta. “I consider this enforcement step to be appropriate. Sailfin catfish is not fit for consumption, and its circulation as a food ingredient must be halted,” Kenneth stated in his comments to Kompas.com on Monday (27/4/2026). Therefore, Kenneth has requested that relevant agencies such as the Food Security, Maritime, and Agriculture Department, the Health Department, and law enforcement authorities to enhance field supervision. “Supervision must be increased further, and enforcement must be firm to provide a deterrent effect,” he said. In addition to enforcement, he also encourages the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to strengthen education for the public regarding the risks of consuming sailfin catfish. Socialisation is deemed necessary on a massive scale through various channels, from social media to traditional markets and residential areas. Kenneth also advises the public to be more selective in choosing food ingredients and not to consume sailfin catfish in any form. “Public awareness is key to breaking the chain of circulation of unfit fish,” he emphasised. Kompas.com has compiled several dangers of consuming sailfin catfish. Here is the list: 1. Exposure to heavy metal contamination Sailfin catfish live at the bottom of waters that often serve as sediment sites for waste. Moreover, many rivers in Jakarta are polluted. This condition makes them prone to accumulating heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead.