Brain Turn Managers So That The Sustainability Of Bandung Zoo Is Not Just A Place Of Recreation

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

BANDUNG - The Tamansari Wildlife Foundation (YMT) stated that Bandung Zoo's long-term vision is a world-class zoo.

The YMT leader, John Sumampau, through a press release in Bandung on Sunday, stated that since entering the foundation management in 2017, his party has started redesigning Bandung Zoo so that it is worthy of being called an international city zoo.

"Those who focus on conservation, education, and research are not just recreational areas," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, September 28.

YMT recruits veterinarians, builds new cages with modern concepts and is open or without bars, animal clinics, more modern entrances, online ticketing systems to make them more transparent and accountable, adjusting employee salaries according to the UMK.

Because, he said, previously the condition of Bandung Zoo was far below that.

"We also registered employees participating in BPJS, providing employee uniforms, to increasing the capacity of Keepers," said John.

YMT believes that Bandung Zoo has the potential to be managed professionally and modernly.

If trust in managing is returned, YMT is ready to continue its commitment to improve animal welfare by allocating revenue in a transparent manner for quality feed, medical care, and improvement of home facilities to better resemble the original animal habitat.

"We are also committed to optimizing tax contributions by continuing to carry out tax obligations in a transparent and regular manner to increase the Regional Original Revenue (PAD) of Bandung City," said John.

Namun, upaya revitalisasi itu terhenti pada 2022 ketika Bisma Bratakusumah dan Sri mengeluarkan John Sumampauw dan Tony Sumampau secara sepihak dari kepengurusan yayasan tanpa melewati mekanisme yang semestinya.

"Kami menghormati keputusan yang diambil oleh Wali Kota Bandung, namun kami juga berharap agar keputusan itu dipertimbangkan kembali demi kepentingan publik, kelangsungan satwa, dan potensi pendapatan daerah yang besar. YMT siap duduk bersama dengan Pemkot untuk mencari solusi terbaik agar Bandung Zoo dapat kembali beroperasi secara normal dan memberikan manfaat yang optimal bagi Kota Bandung," ujar John.

However, the revitalization effort was halted in 2022 when Bisma Bratakusumah and Sri issued John Sumampauw and Tony Sumampau unilaterally from the management of the foundation without passing the proper mechanism.

"We respect the decisions taken by the Mayor of Bandung, but we also hope that the decision will be reconsidered for the public interest, animal continuity, and the potential for large regional income. YMT is ready to sit down together with the City Government to find the best solution so that Bandung Zoo can return to normal operations and provide optimal benefits for the City of Bandung," said John.