The Riau Islands DPRD Asks Companies To Be Responsible For The Case Of Dozens Of Crocodiles Apart From Captivity

Chairman of the Riau Islands DPRD Iman Sutiawan at the PT PJK crocodile breeding location on Pulau Bulan, Batam, Riau Islands, Friday (31/1/2025). ANTARA/Amandine Nadja

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) of the Riau Islands (Kepri) Iman Sutiawan asked the crocodile breeding company on the Moon Island to be responsible for the freelance crocodile incident in Batam.

"We want the accountability of PT Perkasa Jagat Karunia (PJK). In the future, if there is a similar incident involving crocodiles from this captivity, there must be accountability for the affected communities," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, January 31.

From the results of the meeting with related parties, it was known that the number of crocodiles in captivity initially reached 105.

Of these, 38 have been caught, while 66 have not been released and are in captivity.

"However, we cannot just believe in this number. If it is true that only one tail has not been found, then we ask the company to immediately look for it. If there are still unidentified ones, a search and re-data collection must be carried out immediately," he said.

Iman also highlighted the fishermen who are afraid to go to sea due to the news of this loose crocodile and so that the company provides compensation to residents who are economically affected by this incident.

Iman suggested that PT PJK be closed if it could not provide benefits to the community and the state.

"If we may suggest, it is better for this company to be closed. There are no benefits given, there are no taxes for the state either. It has been 36 years of operation, but conditions are not suitable to be a place of captivity. There is even a disaster," he said.

The Riau Islands DPRD has given the company one week to provide a written answer regarding the steps to be taken to resolve this problem.*