Taman Safari Indonesia Angry Name Dragged In Bandung Zoo Case

Situasi di Taman Safari Bogor, Kabupaten Bogor, Jawa Barat. ANTARA/HO-Taman Safari

The management of Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI) confirmed that the spread of false information or hoaxes linking TSI to criminal cases at Bandung Zoo could be categorized as defamation and have the implications of criminal law for those who spread it.

TSI Corporate Communication Eko Maryadi said that his party regretted the circulation of an online petition on the change.org platform which was considered to have caused a public misunderstanding regarding TSI's position in the case.

"Disinformation or rumors linking TSI to the case in question can be categorized as defamation," said Eko in Bandung, Antara, Wednesday, September 24.

Eko emphasized that TSI has no connection with the alleged corruption case which is being tried at the Bandung Corruption Court (Tipikor) or the legal issues that befell Bandung Zoo.

"TSI as a legal entity is not at all related to the trial process for the corruption case that was charged to the former YMT management or the Bandung Zoo," he said.

He also emphasized that the closure of the Bandung Zoo was entirely the authority of the Mayor of Bandung together with the Bandung Polrestabes as reported by the mass media.

"In this case, TSI is not involved in the policy," he said.

Eko stated that his party fully supports the ongoing legal process in the police, prosecutors, and courts, as well as believes the process is fair and transparent.

Previously, the West Java Prosecutor's Office had named two suspects in the alleged corruption case at Bandung Zoo, namely two high-ranking officials of the Tamansari Bandung Wildlife Foundation (YMT) named Raden Bisma Bratakoesoema and Sri Devi.

Both are suspected of misusing land belonging to the Bandung City Government covering an area of almost 140 thousand square meters on Tamansari Street. The land with the status of regional property (BMD) has been leased since 2005, but the lease agreement expires on November 30, 2007.

Even though the agreement has ended, the foundation still manages the zoo without paying rent to the regional treasury. From 2017 to 2020, the defendant allegedly received rental money of up to IDR 6 billion which was used for personal gain.