Jakarta City Council Commission B Member, Taufik Zoelkifli commended Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung’s measures to control the suckermouth catfish population in the capital’s waters. The policy reflects a commitment to environmental conservation efforts.

“The suckermouth catfish is not merely a matter of fish species; it is a symbol of a disrupted ecological balance. When an invasive species dominates more than 60 percent [of the habitat], it indicates an unhealthy natural condition,” he expressed, Saturday (4/18).

However, he warned against short-term or purely symbolic actions. He stressed that controlling the suckermouth catfish population must become part of a long-term, measurable ecological strategy.

He further noted that the Jakarta government should establish clear goals to suppress the population without completely wiping them out, as total eradication could lead to other environmental imbalances. Additionally, the government should map out priority zones and conduct regular evaluations driven by scientific data.

“Without proper planning, this initiative will only provide a surface-level fix, while the underlying issues persist,” he explained.

He guaranteed that the City Council will carry out its oversight role to make sure this program is included in consistent annual plans and backed by sufficient funding.

Taufik further stressed the need to engage multiple parties, from environmental groups and scholars to the wider community. According to him, managing the catfish population should be a shared initiative.

“It has to be a joint ecological effort, rather than just another government project,” he stated firmly.

Further, he warned of the potential dangers of consuming suckermouth catfish, particularly those sourced from polluted waters. He noted, this could escalate into a public health issue if the fish are proven to contain harmful residues.

To address this, he proposed three steps. First, enhancing public education to ensure people are more selective in their fish consumption. Second, tightening market surveillance to prevent fish containing hazardous residues from entering the food chain.

Third, Taufik added, enforcing regulations against those who trade these fish illegally.

"We must not allow the public to become victims due to a lack of information, oversight, and law enforcement,” he added.

For a long-term fix, he encouraged a total overhaul of the river ecosystems. After bringing the invasive fish population under control, he noted that the Jakarta administration should restock local fish, rehabilitate water quality, and restructure the river environments.

He stressed that maintaining Jakarta’s waterways goes beyond environmental issues—it is about the future of the nation.

“A balanced environment isn't just about getting rid of the wrong elements; it’s about bringing back the right ones. We want a Jakarta that isn't just clean to the eye, but truly healthy at its ecological core,” he stated.