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.