Jakarta Globe, Rizky Amelia, January 20, 2014
The scandal at Indonesia’s notorious “zoo of death” took another turn on Monday after the mayor of Surabaya delivered a file to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detailing allegations of graft.
An orangutan at Surabaya Zoo on Oct. 10, 2013. (AFP Photo) |
The scandal at Indonesia’s notorious “zoo of death” took another turn on Monday after the mayor of Surabaya delivered a file to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detailing allegations of graft.
“There have
been several groups [in the management] of Surabaya Zoo. The team isn’t solid
and some action needs to be taken immediately,” Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini
said before a meeting with anti-graft officers. “We hope the KPK will help us.”
The move by
Rismarahini to approach the KPK marks a sharp turnaround for the mayor, who has
attracted criticism for her administration’s management since it took over the
zoo after the horrendous conditions were revealed.
KPK
spokesman Johan Budi said investigator would study the file.
“We will
study the report — similar to our treatment of reports from other members of
the public — to see if there is any indication of corruption or not,” Johan
said.
It could
not be confirmed on Monday which people in the temporary management team
Rismaharini had reported to the KPK. It is understood that the report claims
that officials in the zoo’s management team were complicit in the black-market
sale of animals.
The zoo is
home to approximately 3,000 animals, 420 of which are protected species. The
mayor suspects that at least two endangered species were stolen and sold.
“Each small
Bali myna is worth between Rp 50 million ($4,100) and Rp 100 million,”
Rismaharini said. “A Komodo dragon may sell for between Rp 600 million and Rp
900 million; two are missing.”
Rismarahini
said that an independent study of the zoo had revealed that officials may have
received cars and other items as part of deals to sell zoo animals.
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