Man faces trial for keeping orangutans

Man faces trial for keeping orangutans

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A man appeared in South Jakarta District Court on Monday for the
illegal ownership of two orangutans, which are classified as
endangered animals.

M. Sumarto, 49, owner of an animal show group, has been
charged with violating Article 21, Paragraph 2 of Law No.5/1990
on preservation of natural resources and the environment, which
carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail.

The case, handled by chief prosecutor Bangkit Sopirin, is the
first of its kind to be brought to court here.

The police carried out raids on March 9 against illegal
ownership of endangered animals in several places in South
Jakarta. Sumarto, whose show group performs at Ragunan Zoo in
South Jakarta, could not produce a valid permit from the Ministry
of Forestry for his two orangutans, Edo and Karmila.

The permit expired in 2000.

When presiding Judge Tusani Djafri asked the defendant, who
was not accompanied by a lawyer, whether he understood the
indictment, he replied, "I made a mistake, Your Honor. The permit
has expired. I apologize, Your Honor."

Sumarto said he obtained the orangutans from a friend in 1995.

Edo and Karmila are being kept at the animal quarantine center
owned by the Ministry of Forestry in Tegal Alur, West Jakarta.

Animal lovers said earlier that the case was a step in the
right direction against illegal ownership of endangered animals.
However, the case appeared to be dealt with rather quickly.

During the hearing, prosecutors presented three witnesses to
testify against the defendant. Prosecutors are scheduled to
present their recommendation to the court on Aug. 26.

According to the Criminal Law Procedures Code, a speedy
hearing is allowed in petty criminal cases, such as traffic
violations, which carry a maximum penalty of three months in
jail.