Lampung Quarantine Agency Says Bakauheni Prone to Wildlife Smuggling

Bandarlampung (ANTARA) - The Lampung Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Agency has stated that Bakauheni Port remains a vulnerable point for the smuggling of wild animals from Sumatra to Java, necessitating strengthened supervision. Head of Lampung Quarantine Donni Muksydayan, when confirmed in Bandarlampung on Friday, said that enhanced monitoring must begin at the source areas across various provinces in Sumatra to curb the illegal trafficking of animals and plants through Bakauheni Port. “As we know, Bakauheni is a crossing point that most frequently intercepts smuggling attempts. What happens in Bakauheni originates from upstream areas or provinces in Sumatra,” he said. Donni stated that the Quarantine Agency has so far secured 3,076 wild animals without official documents from various smuggling attempts. According to him, quarantine requirements are an important instrument to ensure that animal traffic is conducted safely, legally, and does not risk spreading pests or animal diseases to other regions. He explained that transporting animals without quarantine documents violates Article 88 of Law Number 21 of 2019 on Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine, which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to IDR 2 billion. “The act also violates Law Number 32 of 2024 amending Law Number 5 of 1990 on Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems. Based on Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d, perpetrators face a minimum prison sentence of three years and a maximum of 15 years, as well as a minimum fine of IDR 200 million and a maximum of IDR 5 billion,” he said. “We will continue to strengthen synergy so that inter-regional animal traffic complies with quarantine regulations. Every successful disclosure is not only a form of law enforcement but also an effort to prevent the spread of pests and animal diseases and to preserve biological natural resources,” Donni concluded.