Bill On Animal Protection Entering Prolegnas 2026, DMFI Welcomes The Prohibition Of Dog Meat Trade

JAKARTA The Coalition of Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI) welcomes the decision of the DPR RI which stipulates the Draft Law on the Protection and Welfare of Animals to be included in the 2026 Priority National Legislation Program (Prolegnas). The determination made at the DPR RI Plenary Session on September 23, 2025 is considered a major step in strengthening legal protection for animals, in particular to end the practice of trading in dog and cat meat in Indonesia.

Support for this bill comes from a number of large factions in the DPR RI, including Golkar, PAN, NasDem, and PDI Perjuangan. This cross-faction support indicates a stronger political consensus to stop practices that are considered at risk to public health and violate animal welfare principles.

"The decision of the DPR RI to include the Bill on Animal Protection and Welfare into the 2026 Prolegnas is a historic momentum," said National Director of DMFI Karin Franken, in an official statement received on Saturday, September 27.

On the same day, DMFI also held an audience with the Deputy Chairperson of the DPR RI Baleg, Sturman Panjaitan, and Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the DPR RI, Charles Honoris. Both expressed support for the inclusion of chapters prohibiting the trade in dog and cat meat into the bill.

"We are ready to accept input from DMFI and will take this issue to the Public Hearing Meeting. The ban on the dog meat trade is proposed to be a separate chapter in this bill," said Sturman.

Since its establishment in 2017, DMFI has been actively conducting public campaigns, advocacy in various regions, and encouraging ban policies at the local level. To date, 116 districts/cities have issued circulars prohibiting the trade in dog and cat meat. The inclusion of this bill into Prolegnas is a clear proof of the consistency of DMFI advocacy which now has a network of more than 100 organizations and communities throughout Indonesia.

DMFI emphasized its commitment to continue to oversee the process of discussing the bill until it becomes an effective regulation.

"This support, together with the commitment of legislators and major factions, is a force to realize real protection for animals as well as the Indonesian people," explained Legal Manager of DMFI Adrian Hane.

DMFI also hopes that the presence of this law can be a strong foothold to prevent atrocities against animals, protect public health, and strengthen Indonesia's position in international animal welfare standards.