en.malanginspirasi.com – Authorities have detained Choirul Anwar, the former director of Surabaya Zoo, as the primary suspect in a major corruption case involving the alleged diversion of Rp10.2 billion (approximately $640,000) in public funds intended for animal feed and care over nearly a decade.
Anwar, who served as director and held multiple operational roles at the zoo, is accused of orchestrating fake expenses and inflating budgets for animal provisions between 2016 and 2024.
Prosecutors say the scheme resulted in severe shortages, leaving animals malnourished and the zoo’s facilities in poor condition, with dirty enclosures and damaged infrastructure.
The East Java Prosecutor’s Office announced the detention on Tuesday, July 22, following an extensive investigation that included testimony from 22 witnesses.
Investigators have reportedly traced Rp7.4 billion directly linked to Anwar’s personal gain.
“Public funds allocated for the welfare of these animals were systematically misused,” a prosecutor involved in the case stated.
“This not only betrayed the trust of the community but also directly harmed the animals under the zoo’s care.”
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Surabaya Zoo, one of Indonesia’s oldest and most visited zoos, has long relied on government and public funding to maintain its collection of hundreds of animals.
Visitors and animal welfare advocates had previously raised concerns about the condition of the facilities and the health of the animals, complaints that appear to have been validated by the corruption probe.
Officials indicated that Anwar’s arrest marks a significant breakthrough, but the investigation remains active.
Additional suspects, potentially including other zoo staff or suppliers involved in the inflated procurement schemes, may be named in the coming weeks.
The case has drawn attention to broader vulnerabilities in the management of public funds for zoos and wildlife conservation across Indonesia.
Animal rights groups have called for stricter oversight and transparency in how such institutions are financed and operated.
Anwar is expected to face charges under Indonesia’s anti-corruption laws, which carry heavy penalties including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines.
He is currently in custody as prosecutors prepare formal indictment.
This development comes amid growing national scrutiny on corruption in public institutions, particularly those involving essential services and public assets like zoos that serve both educational and conservation purposes.
