SMUGGLING OF YELLOW-CRESTED COCKATOOS, THE URGENCY OF THE NEED TO REVISE LAW NO. 5 OF 1990. 5 OF 1990
Support for the Petition to Support the amendment of Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Ecosystems (Law 5/90) led by the Conservation Policy Working Group (Pokja Konservasi) through change.org/kakatuabotol has reached more than 15,000 supports to date and continues to grow. This large number is a form of public support against the abomination committed by smugglers against several yellow-crested cockatoos. Although the response from the Minister of Environment and Forestry and Commission IV of the House of Representatives has been good, concrete action is needed to address the recurring animal crimes. In response to this problem, several NGOs that are members of the Conservation Working Group, which is currently pushing for changes to Law 5/90, organized a press conference to address the follow-up of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo smuggling case and the need for changes to the law.
Sofi from WCS/WCU, a member of the Working Group, noted that in the last 10 years there have been at least 30 cases of cockatoo trafficking with an average sentence of less than 1 year. Sadly, most of these cases were resolved through the confiscation process only, without being followed up to law enforcement. WCU data for wildlife trade cases since 2010 has identified 88 cases (live and body parts of tigers, ivory, pangolins, cockatoos, etc.) that have been reported to the Police and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This data explains that the phenomenon of trading and/or smuggling and/or taking protected wildlife is still very high.
The important thing that causes the phenomenon to occur is the weak role of the government in enforcing the law against animal traffickers. Hanom from Burung Indonesia mentioned that specifically for Cockatoos, the highest trade rate is for White Cockatoos. However, according to Government Regulation No. 7/1999, the White Cockatoo is not a protected species. Hanom further mentioned that "The government should not only focus on law enforcement against cockatoo trade, but also on the protection of critical habitats."
Andri Santosa as the Coordinator of the Working Group mentioned "the revelation of the smuggling of Yellow-crested Cockatoos should be a momentum for fundamental changes in the protection of species and habitats, one of which is through changes to Law 5/90."
In its conclusion, the Pokja urged the Government and the Parliament to make the priority agenda of resolving the Yellow-crested Cockatoo case and discussing the revision of Law 5/90.
"The continued increase in civil society support through the Change.org petition urging the resolution of this case shows the high public concern for the preservation of these endangered animals. It also shows the high expectation of the public for policymakers and representatives in the House of Representatives to immediately revise the Conservation Law," said Desmarita Murni, Director of Communications at Change.org.
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Pokja Kebijakan Konservasi is a working group consisting of individuals and institutions concerned with conservation issues and policies. This Pokja is mandated to oversee the implementation of conservation policies and the process of changing or revising them, including the revision of Law 5/90. Members of this Working Group are:
Contact Person:
Andri Santosa - 08129451659
Samedi - 081382491173
