Officers Capturing Sailfin Catfish in West Jakarta Receive Rewards, from Cash to Trips to Ancol

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The West Jakarta Administrative City Government held an operation to capture sailfin catfish in the Taman Semanan Indah canal child, Kalideres, West Jakarta, on Friday (17/4/2026). This initiative forms part of the simultaneous movement by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to control the population of invasive fish that threaten river ecosystem preservation. West Jakarta Mayor Iin Mutmainnah has prepared special appreciation for the officers who successfully capture the fish. Not only cash incentives, Iin also promises recreational rewards for officers who collect many sailfin catfish catches. “So later they can enjoy it together and we will also invite them all to refresh, to go to Ancol,” said Iin. Until 09.00 WIB or one hour after the operation began, the joint team is said to have successfully obtained catches of around 25 kilograms. All the sailfin catfish from this catch will be immediately buried at the Semanan Flora Centre. This operation will be carried out routinely to eradicate the fish that damage the river embankments. There were rumours circulating about irresponsible individuals using sailfin catfish meat for food processing like siomay, even though this fish absorbs heavy metals that are dangerous to health. She also urged the public to participate in monitoring and immediately report if they find any practices of processing food based on sailfin catfish in West Jakarta. In agreement, Member of Commission A of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Hilda Kusuma Dewi, who was present at the location, also asked the public to monitor the presence of sailfin catfish so that it is not exploited by irresponsible parties. “Its reproduction is very fast and it is certainly very dangerous if made into processed food. So this needs monitoring and our collective concern so that the river ecosystem can remain clean, and the public is safe so that this is not consumed or taken by irresponsible individuals,” stated Hilda. Hilda has also conveyed to the West Jakarta City Government to continue the sailfin catfish extermination programme routinely in the future.