IPW Urges Police to Handle Surabaya Zoo Case

Jakarta (Antara) - The Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) has urged the National Police's Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) to take over the investigation of a case concerning the animal exchange program at the Surabaya Zoo (KBS). "We urge the National Police's Bareskrim to take over the handling of the Surabaya Zoo's animal exchange case currently being investigated by the Surabaya Police," Presidium Chairman of IPW Neta S. Pane stated here Wednesday. Following his meeting with Bareskrim Chief Commissioner General Suhardi Alius, Pane reported that Bareskrim was currently in the process of handling the case. The IPW doubts the credibility of the investigation being carried out by the Surabaya Police in the case. "The case has been going on for nine months, but until now, it is still in the 'dark', as investigators have not named any suspect," he pointed out. He emphasized that any animal exchange must be carried out after seeking the approval of the president. "But, the Surabaya Zoo's temporary management team had done something beyond its authorities, as if the animals were theirs. In fact, the zoo's animals are the state's assets, and therefore, any animal exchange must be carried out by the government," Pane remarked. The NGO activist suspected that the zoo's animals were actually sold through so-called exchanges involving money and goods. In 2013, a total of 420 animals of the Surabaya Zoo were traded during the program in exchange for favors. "The animals, however, were not exchanged with other animals in line with the regulations. In fact, they were exchanged with cars, money, and museum construction," he claimed. Pane cited the example of an animal exchange agreement signed on April 23, 2013, between the Surabaya Zoo and the Pematang Siantar Zoo. In accordance with the agreement, 148 animals of Surabaya Zoo were traded in exchange for the construction of a museum. The animals included rare Komodo dragons, Orangutans, and the Bali Myna bird (Leucopsar rothschildi), which necessitated the approval of Indonesia's president for any exchange, he added. In a letter dated April 24, 2013, Executive Chairman of the Surabaya Zoo's Temporary Management Team Tonny Sumampau demanded a down payment amounting to Rp200 million from C.V. Mirah Fantasia in Banyuwangi (East Java) against the exchange of a male giraffe. On May 4, 2013, 43 animals were traded in exchange for an Innova car and a Honda motorcycle for the zoo's operational activities from Lembah Hijau Animal Park. The IPW has urged the Bareskrim to take Tonny Sumampau into custody and monitor the investigation carried out by the Surabaya Police chief and police detectives handling the case. (*)