Kalasuara -

East Java prosecutors have detained Choirul Anwar, the former president director of PD TS KBS, the regional government company that runs Surabaya Zoo, naming them a suspect in a corruption case tied to the company's finances from 2016 to 2024.

The detention order, Warrant No. KEP-863/M.5/Fd.2/07/2026, was issued Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Choirul has been held at the East Java High Prosecutor's Office detention branch since that day and will remain in custody until August 9, 2026, a 20-day term.

PD TS KBS runs Surabaya Zoo, one of Indonesia's oldest. The East Java branch of Indonesia's Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) has put the preliminary state loss at the company at Rp10,209,664,735.60, a figure that could still change as the investigation continues.

From misused disbursements to fake paperwork

Prosecutors allege Choirul withdrew company funds for expenses outside their intended purpose, created fictitious transactions, and used part of the money for personal gain. Each withdrawal was then covered with accountability documents designed to make it look like the funds had gone toward the zoo's operations.

"The suspect, CA, allegedly used company funds for expenses outside their intended purpose, fictitious spending, and personal interests," said Dr. IG Punia Atmaja NR, assistant for special crimes at the East Java High Prosecutor's Office.

Of the total preliminary loss, prosecutors suspect about Rp7.4 billion went to Choirul's personal use. That figure is a portion of the Rp10.2 billion, not an amount on top of it, and both remain allegations while the investigation continues.

Why did the animal feed cuts draw scrutiny?

The feed cuts drew attention after investigators found a gap between financial reports showing normal spending and the actual feed budget, which had been reduced on the ground. "In fact it was cut. That means the accountability paperwork existed, but it wasn't made truthfully," I Gede Punia, assistant for special crimes at the East Java High Prosecutor's Office, said of the feed budget's realization.

That does not mean the entire Rp10.2 billion came from the feed budget. The feed cuts are only one part of a broader alleged misuse of operating funds. But the effect fell directly on animals that depend entirely on their keepers: dirty or damaged facilities, and some animals that were unhealthy, underweight, or died from inadequate care, according to the prosecutors' findings. Lintang Ratri, head of public relations at Surabaya Zoo, said services continue as normal: "Our focus right now is making sure Surabaya Zoo's operations keep running as they should."

Three loss figures, three different stages

Three numbers are circulating around the case, and they measure different things. Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi said the initial suspicion came from an independent audit, recommended by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) after the city government found irregularities in 2024, which turned up about Rp8 billion in improper transactions. That figure came from the preliminary review stage, before the formal investigation began.

Once the case moved to a formal investigation, BPKP calculated a preliminary state loss of Rp10,209,664,735.60 for the 2016 to 2024 period, a broader and more legally formal figure than the initial audit's findings. Of that amount, prosecutors now suspect about Rp7.4 billion was used for Choirul's personal benefit. The three numbers measure different things: an early red flag, the total preliminary loss, and the portion allegedly diverted for personal use.

Prosecutors also cited unauthorized cash disbursements in 2023 and 2024 that were approved by MN, the company's finance director at the time, along with fund disbursement orders and fabricated accountability documents allegedly produced by STN, head of the accounting and finance department. The 2023 to 2024 window falls within the larger 2016 to 2024 period under investigation, not a separate case.

Choirul is charged under Article 603, primarily, or Article 604 as an alternative, of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026, in conjunction with Article 18 of Law No. 31 of 1999 on eradicating corruption, as amended by Law No. 20 of 2001.

Defense lawyer prepares to seek release

Choirul's lawyer, Edward Dewaruci, said Thursday, July 23, 2026, that they would file a request with the East Java High Prosecutor's Office to suspend Choirul's detention. "Yes, we're keeping his right to request a suspension of detention, we'll file that later. The requirements for detention are stricter now, and that's something that could be tested," Dewaruci said. Dewaruci said the procedural paperwork was already in order and had not yet made a pretrial challenge the main option.

In the Surabaya City Council, Commission A member Muhammad Saifuddin called for tighter internal and external oversight of all regional government enterprises, along with more professional and transparent recruitment of company boards.

What's still to come: the prosecutors' decision on Choirul's detention suspension request, BPKP's final loss calculation, which could still change from the preliminary Rp10.2 billion figure, further questioning of STN, MN, and feed suppliers, and an independent physical audit of feed stock and animal conditions to check the financial reports against conditions in the enclosures.