RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – A small, bottom-dwelling fish is exposing a big governance gap in Jakarta. The rapid spread of the suckermouth catfish, locally known as ikan sapu-sapu, has prompted East Jakarta authorities to call for a coordinated, cross-regional response, warning that Jakarta cannot protect its rivers alone.

"If Jakarta keeps moving but the border areas stay still, the fish will keep entering Jakarta. The response has to be collective," said East Jakarta Deputy Mayor, Kusmanto, when confirmed in Jakarta on Monday, May 11, 2026.

The invasive species, widely recognized for its hardiness and rapid reproduction, does not respect administrative boundaries. It continues to migrate freely through interconnected river systems, rendering any cleanup effort confined to Jakarta's borders largely ineffective if neighboring regions fail to act in parallel.

Kusmanto stressed that the Jakarta Provincial Administration cannot tackle the problem in isolation. He argued that the active participation of bordering local administrations, particularly Depok and Bekasi, is essential to any meaningful long-term solution.

He urged subdistrict and village heads, especially those in border areas, to proactively establish communication with their counterparts in neighboring regions to formulate a unified response plan.

Several areas have been identified as critical surveillance points, including Pasar Rebo Subdistrict, which borders Depok City directly, as well as the Cipayung and Pondok Ranggon areas that share boundaries with Bekasi. These locations are considered key entry points through which the fish migrates into Jakarta's waterways.

Beyond its ecological impact, the suckermouth catfish also poses a tangible threat to physical infrastructure. "This invasive species can damage riverbank embankment structures, potentially driving up government expenditure on infrastructure repairs," warned Kusmanto, as quoted by Antara.

On the broader front of river health, Kusmanto also emphasized the importance of enforcing Governor's Instruction Number 5 on household waste sorting. He identified poorly managed domestic waste as one of the primary drivers behind the deteriorating condition of Jakarta's rivers.

He was equally firm in his call for public engagement to go beyond symbolic gestures. Kusmanto was firm that river conservation must move beyond symbolic gestures and translate into tangible, ground-level action. He called for broad societal involvement, from environmental communities and social media influencers to young people and residents at the neighborhood level.

"If we don't start now, we will be too late. The rivers must be protected together, for the future of Jakarta," said Kusmanto. ***