Surabaya’s Environmental Agency Cracks Down on Livestock Waste in Waterways, Threatening Hefty Fines
The Surabaya City Environmental Agency (DLH) has issued a stern warning and implemented strict prohibitions against washing or dumping livestock slaughter waste, specifically rumen, into rivers and water channels. Violators face summary offense proceedings that could result in fines of up to Rp50 million.
M. Fikser, the Acting Head of Surabaya DLH, announced that the agency will conduct strict enforcement operations at several vulnerable locations, including the Kalimas River and the Taman Asreboyo area, during and after the Eid al-Adha (Qurban) animal sacrifice period. This action is intended to serve as a strong deterrent to the public who disregard regulations regarding the management of Qurban waste.
“We will not issue on-the-spot fines. Instead, we will pursue summary offense proceedings in court. This will allow them to experience the lengthy court process for summary offenses. For violations of the regional regulation, the maximum fine can reach Rp50 million,” Fikser stated on Tuesday, May 26.
Fikser clarified that the minimum fine for individuals caught washing or disposing of rumen in waterways will be determined by the court. While local government fines for such offenses typically amount to Rp75,000, the DLH is rejecting this approach in favor of the more impactful summary offense route.
“Typically, the fine might be Rp75,000. However, I don’t want that. A mere Rp75,000 fine won’t change their behavior. It’s better to take them through the summary offense process. This way, they will experience the long judicial procedure,” he explained.
Furthermore, Fikser emphasized that individuals subjected to summary offense sanctions will have their identification cards (KTP) automatically blocked. This means they will be denied public administrative services until they comply with the court’s ruling.
“If they don’t participate in the court proceedings, they won’t receive services from the government. As residents with a Surabaya KTP, we will block their services until the matter is resolved, and then we will reinstate them,” he added.
The DLH is committed to enhancing surveillance throughout the Eid al-Adha period to prevent a recurrence of rumen washing in the city’s rivers.