MUI Criticises Jakarta Provincial Government's Operation to Catch Sailfin Catfish, Deeming the Burial Method Improper

The Fatwa Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has criticised the operation to capture sailfin catfish conducted by the Jakarta Provincial Government on Friday (16/4/2026). The captured sailfin catfish are suspected to have been buried while still alive.

Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission, KH Miftahul Huda, reminded that the mass burial of live sailfin catfish violates two principles. First, the principle of rahmatan lil ’alamin and the principle of animal welfare (kesrawan).

“That method is considered to cause unnecessary suffering,” he said, quoted from the MUI website on Sunday (19/4/2026).

Kiai Miftah explained that killing animals is permissible if there is benefit. However, the method of burying sailfin catfish alive involves elements of torture because it prolongs death. According to him, this is not in line with the principle of ihsan (kindness).

In addition, he highlighted the ethics of animal welfare in the operation. He assessed that burying live fish is considered inhumane. This is because one of the general principles of animal welfare is to minimise suffering.

Nevertheless, Kiai Miftah acknowledged that the Jakarta Provincial Government’s policy in controlling sailfin catfish is good or has benefit, as it is part of environmental control. Considering that sailfin catfish can damage river ecosystems and threaten local fish.

“That aligns with maqāṣid syariah, entering the category of modern ecological ḍharūriyyāt,” said Kiai Miftah.

Kiai Miftah explained that, in addition, this environmental policy also falls under Hifẓ an-Nasl (preservation of living beings), as it can maintain biodiversity and prevent the extinction of local species. Thus, the balance of generations of living beings can be maintained.