PONTIANAK - The Indonesian Quarantine Agency through the West Kalimantan Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Center detained illegal commodities in the form of 1 kilogram of bat meat and 50 kilograms of salted fish at the Aruk State Border Crossing Post.
Head of the West Kalimantan Regional Indonesian Quarantine Agency, Ferdi, said the action was taken at the Indonesian-Malaysian border entrance, Sebunga Village. Officers found bat meat hidden under a pile of salted fish that border crossers brought to avoid quarantine checks.
"Officers found bat meat hidden under a pile of salted fish that border crossers brought to avoid quarantine checks," Ferdi said in a written statement received in Pontianak, Antara, Thursday, February 19.
Ferdi explained that the detention was carried out because the animal commodities did not have the required quarantine requirements documents.
"It's not about the number, but based on the analysis of the risk. Even though it's small, it still has the potential to carry pests and diseases that are dangerous for the environment, community, and food sources if it doesn't meet the quarantine procedures," said Ferdi.
All evidence has now been secured in the quarantine service unit detention room at PLBN Aruk for further processing and is planned to be destroyed in accordance with the provisions. Meanwhile, for the owner of the goods, the officers provided guidance and warnings.
Ferdi emphasized that the detention step was also aimed at preventing the entry of high-risk zoonotic diseases, including the Nipah Virus. Scientifically, bats are known as one of the natural hosts or reservoirs of various infectious diseases from animals to humans.
He reminded all animal, fish, plant commodities, and their derivatives that enter the territory of Indonesia to comply with the requirements in accordance with Law Number 21 of 2019 concerning Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine.
"Kalbar quarantine will continue to strengthen the supervision of commodity traffic in border areas by collaborating with related agencies. The public is urged to comply with the provisions of quarantine to maintain the safety of life, food sources, and regional economic interests," said Ferdi.
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