Surabaya Zoo Corruption Left Animals Neglected and Dead
Alleged corruption in the Surabaya Zoo (KBS) budget has not only caused state losses of Rp10.2 billion but has also directly impacted the animals, leaving them malnourished, sick, and dead. The East Java High Prosecutor’s Office has named former President Director of the Surabaya Zoo Company (PD TS KBS), Choirul Anwar, as a suspect. The alleged corruption occurred during the 2016-2024 period.
Assistant for Special Crimes at the East Java High Prosecutor’s Office, I Gede Punia Atmaja, stated that one of the methods used by the suspect was marking up the animal feed budget. The amount of feed actually given to the animals was reduced, but accountability reports were manipulated to appear correct. “Because one of the modus operandi is about animal feed, the feed was reduced. The accountability report was made to look as if it was correct, but it was marked up,” Gede said on Thursday evening.
As a result of these actions over many years, several animals at KBS suffered declining health and some died, while facilities became unmaintained. “Besides causing state financial losses, this has also made the Surabaya Zoo, which we love, unable to develop. The financial management resulted in facilities being poorly maintained, dirty, and damaged, and the animals became unhealthy, thin, tended to die, and did not receive proper care,” he explained.
Gede explained that during his tenure as President Director, the suspect allegedly abused his authority by using company budget funds for inappropriate and fictitious expenditures, including for personal gain. He did this by instructing finance staff to disburse budget funds and create fake accountability reports to make it appear the money was used for operational activities. In 2023 to 2024, these improper expenditures were also approved by the Finance Director, MN. The state losses are currently estimated at around Rp10.2 billion, based on a provisional calculation with the East Java BPKP.
Furthermore, the suspect concurrently held several strategic positions within PD TS KBS, serving as President Director, Operational Director, and Finance Director simultaneously, allowing him to freely take and create fictitious accountability for the use of company funds. Of the total state losses, approximately Rp7.4 billion was allegedly used for the suspect’s personal interests. The High Prosecutor’s Office has examined 22 witnesses and is continuing to investigate the possible involvement of other parties. The suspect has been detained for 20 days at the Surabaya Class I Detention Centre branch of the East Java High Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect’s legal counsel stated they respect the ongoing legal process and have not yet seen any formal defects that would warrant a pre-trial motion.