Response to MUI Criticism, South Jakarta City Government Changes Method of Destroying Sailfin Catfish in This Way

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The South Jakarta City Government (Pemkot Jaksel) is continuing the eradication of sailfin catfish by first killing the fish before burying them. This method is a follow-up to criticism from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) regarding the previous eradication approach, which involved burying the sailfin catfish while they were still alive. The South Jakarta Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Fisheries Agency (KPKP) has also evaluated the fish eradication method, including the final stage of burial. Head of the Fisheries Section of the South Jakarta KPKP Sub-Directorate, Arief Prakoso, stated that the killed sailfin catfish will subsequently be handed over to the Environmental Agency Sub-Directorate for processing into organic fertiliser. Additionally, they are studying the utilisation of sailfin catfish meat as alternative fish feed through examination at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Research Centre and Standardisation Centre. “There are designated locations that can be utilised as organic fertiliser as planned,” said Arief on the same occasion. In two capture operations, the South Jakarta City Government has eradicated around 6.6 tonnes of sailfin catfish in the Setu Babakan connecting channel. Arief mentioned that they will also provide nets to assist in the capture process. Previously, Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission, KH Miftahul Huda, assessed that burying fish while alive contradicts sharia principles and animal welfare. Kiai Miftah explained that burying live fish violates two main principles: rahmatan lil ’alamin and animal welfare (kesrawan). He considered this method potentially causing unnecessary suffering to animals. MUI stated that the DKI Provincial Government’s policy in controlling sailfin catfish or pleco has public benefit value. This step is seen as aligned with the principle of hifz al-biah or environmental protection. Sailfin catfish are known to damage river ecosystems and threaten the existence of local fish.