Seller of Sailfin Catfish Meat Detained, DKI DPRD's Kenneth Calls for Stricter Oversight
Jakarta DPRD member Hardiyanto Kenneth has commended the Satpol PP officers for detaining rogue vendors selling sailfin catfish in Central Jakarta. This action is deemed essential to protect public health and maintain order in food distribution in the capital.
The Commission C DPRD Jakarta member emphasised that the practice of selling sailfin catfish for consumption cannot be justified. The fish is known as a cleaning species that lives in dirty waters and potentially contains harmful substances and bacteria that could endanger health if consumed.
“I consider this enforcement action to be appropriate. Sailfin catfish is not fit for consumption, and its circulation as food must be stopped,” said Kenneth in his statement on Sunday (26/4/2026).
Bang Kent, the familiar nickname for Hardiyanto Kenneth, also requested that relevant agencies such as the food security, maritime and agriculture department, health department, and law enforcement apparatus to tighten field oversight. This is to prevent rogue elements from exploiting the situation by illegally selling the fish.
“Oversight must be increased and enforcement must be firm to provide a deterrent effect,” he added.
In addition to enforcement, Kent encouraged the DKI Jakarta provincial government to strengthen public education. Mass outreach is considered necessary, through social media, traditional markets, to neighbourhood associations, so that the public can understand the health risks of consuming sailfin catfish.
On the other hand, traders are also urged to uphold ethics in selling food items and not prioritise short-term profits at the expense of consumer safety.
“We invite traders to be responsible. The government must also be ready to provide guidance so that trading activities remain in accordance with regulations,” explained the Chairman of IKAL PPRA LXII Lemhannas RI.
Kent also advised the public not to consume sailfin catfish in any form and urged them to be more selective in choosing safe food sources with clear origins.
“Public awareness is key to breaking the chain of circulation of unfit fish for consumption,” Kent stressed.
With this enforcement, Kent hopes there will be no more practices of selling sailfin catfish meat as consumable goods in society. He also reaffirmed his commitment to continue monitoring food security issues as a shared priority.
“Synergy between government, law enforcement, and the public is considered the main key in preventing the circulation of food items that potentially endanger health. I urge the public to be more vigilant and not tempted by cheap food without ensuring its safety and suitability for consumption,” he concluded.
Previously, the Sawah Besar Satpol PP unit detained five vendors of sailfin catfish meat. They were apprehended after being caught processing the meat along the banks of the Ciliwung canal or in front of Santa Ursula School, Pasar Baru, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta.
“We detained five men who were working and selling sailfin catfish meat. We acted after receiving reports from residents who were suspicious of their activities,” said the Head of Satpol PP Sawah Besar, Darwis Silitonga.
The five detained individuals are residents of Cikarang, Bekasi Regency. After catching the fish, they immediately separated the meat and eggs of the sailfin catfish. One person could catch a large quantity of sailfin catfish. One catcher could even sell 20 kg of meat to collectors in a day.
“Every day, one person sells about 20 kilos of sailfin catfish meat. So if they are five, it’s around 100 kilos of sailfin catfish meat. We destroyed all of it by burying it. We also asked them not to sell sailfin catfish meat to be made into siomay,” he concluded.