MP Rajiv Condemns Surabaya Zoo Feed Corruption, Calls for Maximum Punishment
House of Representatives Commission IV member Rajiv has strongly condemned the alleged corruption of animal feed funds at Surabaya Zoo (KBS) amounting to Rp 10.2 billion. The funds were allegedly misappropriated through the creation of fictitious transaction evidence and used for personal gain.
Rajiv urged law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate the case. He also demanded that all parties involved in the alleged misappropriation of the animal feed budget from 2016 to 2024 be examined.
“This misappropriation is suspected to have lasted for eight years. I fully support the East Java High Prosecutor’s Office in investigating this matter comprehensively and without discrimination. The investigation must not stop at just one person. All parties suspected of knowing about the KBS budget irregularities must be examined,” Rajiv said in a written statement on Friday (24/7/2026).
He further stated that if legally and convincingly proven guilty of corruption in court, the perpetrators must receive the maximum possible sentence in accordance with the law. “We still respect the principle of presumption of innocence because being named a suspect does not constitute a guilty verdict. However, if all charges are proven in court, there should be no lenient punishment,” Rajiv stressed.
The NasDem Party faction politician revealed that the animal feed corruption has led to a decline in the quality of KBS management, including dirty and damaged facilities and animals appearing unhealthy, with some even dying due to allegedly poor care.
“Corruption of animal feed funds is an extremely cruel act because what is being stolen is not only state money, but also the basic rights of animals to receive food, healthcare, and a proper living environment,” Rajiv stated.
According to Rajiv, this case demonstrates that the matter does not solely involve state financial losses, but also has the potential to cause biological losses, animal welfare damage, and conservation harm that cannot be measured merely in rupiah.
He said a zoo is not just a recreational facility or a regional-owned enterprise. KBS is an ex-situ conservation institution that carries out the functions of rescue and maintenance of genetic reserves.
Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number 15 of 2023 stipulates that the management of conservation institutions for the public interest must be carried out based on ethical principles and animal welfare. Therefore, the alleged reduction or misappropriation of budgets intended for animal feed, health, cage cleanliness, and care must also be examined from the perspective of conservation obligation violations.
“The KBS case must become a momentum to improve the governance of all conservation institutions in Indonesia. Conservation institutions must be managed with professionalism, integrity, budget transparency, human resource competence, and absolute compliance with animal welfare principles,” he concluded.