Kenneth DPRD DKI And Animal Lover Activist Appreciate Pramono Bans Selling Dog Meat In Jakarta

JAKARTA - The official ban on the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung Wibowo, regarding the trade and consumption of dog and cat meat in Jakarta, has received broad support. One of them came from a member of the DKI Jakarta DPRD from the PDI-P Faction (PDIP), Hardiyanto Kenneth, and an Animal Activist from Animal Defenders Indonesia, Doni Herdaru Tona.

Bang Kent, Hardiyanto Kenneth's nickname, said that this policy was not just an administrative decision, but a moral and humanitarian act that should be used as an example for other regions in Indonesia.

"As a member of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, I would like to express my highest appreciation and deepest gratitude to the Governor of DKI Jakarta Pramono Anung Wibowo, for his courage and firmness in making a statement that would issue a policy of the Governor's Regulation on prohibiting the consumption of dog and cat meat in the DKI Jakarta area. This proves that Governor Pramono Anung has realized his campaign promise by issuing a Pergub regarding the prohibition on consuming dog and cat meat," said Kent in his statement, Tuesday, October 14.

According to the PDIP politician, the move by the number one person in DKI Jakarta is very relevant to Law Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food, and Law Number 41 of 2014 concerning Animal Husbandry and Health.

In addition, said Kent, this policy reflects Governor Pramono's concern for animal welfare, public health, and the image of Jakarta as a civilized and modern city and remembers his campaign promise during the struggle together yesterday.

According to him, the practice of consuming dog and cat meat has often caused polemics and has the potential to spread dangerous diseases such as rabies and other zoonosis infections.

"We all understand that Jakarta is home to various ethnicities, religions, and cultures. In this diversity, it is important for us to maintain common ethical standards that guarantee the safety, cleanliness, and respect for the lives of other creatures," continued the member of Commission C of the DKI Jakarta DPRD.

Kent also emphasized that the DKI Jakarta DPRD will continue to support this policy with concrete steps, including encouraging the preparation of regional regulations that will strengthen its implementation and oversee the implementation in the field and conduct public education so that the public understands the value behind the policy.

"We believe, with collaboration between the executive, legislature, and support from the wider community and the mass media, Jakarta will be increasingly known as a civilized and animal-friendly city," said the chairman of the IKAL PPRA LXII Lemhannas RI.

Meanwhile, Animal Activist from Animal Defenders Indonesia, Doni Herdaru Tona said, the decision to prohibit consuming dog meat is a " monumental and historic step" for moral and humanitarian progress in Indonesia.

"Anial Defenders Indonesia expresses its highest appreciation and deep gratitude to the Governor of DKI Jakarta for remembering yesterday's campaign promise which bravely issued a policy regarding the prohibition of trade and consumption of dog meat in the DKI Jakarta area," said Doni.

According to him, Jakarta will now be the first capital city in Indonesia to dare to take a firm stance to protect animals from exploitation and cruelty, as well as protect public health from the threat of dangerous disease.

Doni said, for years Animal Defenders Indonesia has fought for the elimination of this practice which often involves the theft of pets, torture, and violent killings.

"We witnessed firsthand the tremendous suffering experienced by these animals, dogs stolen from their owners, transported into sacks, then slaughtered cruelly to be traded as food. Therefore, the prohibition policy from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will be an important turning point in the long fight against violence against animals," he said.

Doni added that this prohibition is not only about protecting animals, but also protecting humans from the risk of zoonosis and illegal trading practices that often disturb the public.

"Cooperation between the government, animal-loving communities, the mass media, and the community has finally paved the way for a more civilized, loving, and safe Jakarta for all living things," he said.

Animal Defenders Indonesia, continued Doni, is ready to cooperate with the DKI Provincial Government in implementing this policy. Animal Defenders Indonesia will always be committed to continuing to conduct public education, awareness campaigns in supporting law enforcement against violations in the field.

"We believe that Jakarta's success will be an inspiration for other local governments throughout Indonesia to take similar steps and make Indonesia a nation that increasingly respects life and rejects all forms of cruelty to animals," said Doni.

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung is known to have immediately issued a Governor Regulation (Pergub) prohibiting the trade in dog and cat meat for public consumption in an effort to prevent the spread of rabies in the capital city.

"There is a request to make a governor's regulation regarding 'dog meat free', so dog meat is not for consumption in Jakarta. For that, there are two proposals, whether in the form of a governor's regulation or a regional regulation," said Pramono.

He agreed with his aspirations, especially in preparing a governor's regulation which is the authority of the governor. Pramono immediately instructed the ranks of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov) to prepare the Governor Regulation.

"If it's a regional regulation, then we will propose it to the DKI Jakarta DPRD. Thus, hopefully, this effort will be welcomed in the legislature. Actually, the law that regulates it already exists, namely Law Number 18 of 2012, it happened that at that time I was the leader of the DPR who knocked it out, so I know, it's the Law on Food. Then, there is also Law Number 41 of 2014 concerning Animal Husbandry and Health. So, these two laws are the references. Hopefully Jakarta will be an example for this," said Pramono.