inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Rajiv, a member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), urged law enforcement to thoroughly investigate the alleged Rp 10.2 billion corruption case involving animal feed at the Surabaya Zoo (KBS), and to question all parties involved in the misappropriation of animal feed from 2016 to 2024.
"This embezzlement is suspected to have occurred over eight years. I fully support the East Java High Prosecutor's Office in thoroughly investigating this case without discrimination. The investigation must not stop at one individual. All parties suspected of knowing about the misappropriation of KBS funds must be questioned," Rajiv said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday (7/24/2026).
Rajiv stated that if legally and convincingly proven in court to have committed corruption, the perpetrator must be given the harshest possible punishment in accordance with statutory provisions.
"We continue to respect the principle of the presumption of innocence because a suspect's determination does not constitute a guilty verdict. However, if all charges are proven in court, there should be no lenient sentence," he said.
He revealed that corruption involving animal feed has had an impact on the quality of KBS management, including dirty and damaged facilities and animals appearing unhealthy, even leading to deaths due to alleged lack of proper care.
"Corruption of animal feed money is a very cruel act because what is being stolen is not only state funds, but also the animals' basic rights to food, healthcare, and a decent living environment," said Rajiv.
According to Rajiv, this situation shows that the case is not solely financially detrimental to the state but also has the potential to cause biological, animal welfare, and conservation losses that cannot be measured in mere rupiah.
He stated that the zoo is not simply a recreational area or a regionally owned enterprise. KBS is a conservation institution outside its natural habitat, or ex situ, that carries out the function of saving and maintaining genetic reserves.
Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number 15 of 2023 emphasizes that management of conservation institutions for the public interest must be based on ethical principles and animal welfare.
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