Sunday, April 30, 2023, Yayasan Bali Bersih received a report from the Instagram account of @infobadung that a lawar (an Indonesian dish created from a mixture of vegetables, coconut and minced meat mixed with rich herbs and spices, originating from Bali, Indonesia) and smuggled turtle trader with the initials MJ (48 years) had been arrested by members of Ditpolairud Polda Bali. Ditpolairud members also found a plastic of turtle meat that had been cut into pieces and processed into lawar in the perpetrator's kitchen.
Ditpolairud secured 21 turtles. These turtles are suspected to be green turtles (Chelonia mydas) with large to small sizes and an age of approximately 20 to 50 years.
The perpetrators can be charged under Article 21 paragraph (2) letters a and b of Law Number 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems with a maximum criminal penalty of 5 years and a maximum fine of IDR 100 million.
Furthermore, the turtles will be examined for their health by the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC) Serangan veterinarians. After being declared healthy, they will be released.
Yayasan Bali Bersih always reminds us of a strict prohibition on the trade or use of sea turtles. Turtles must be protected and live in the wild (ocean). All forms of regulations prohibited by the perpetrators will be subject to strict sanctions until they finally go to jail.
Videos' source: @updatebalii Instagram