Bandung Zoo Is Still Closed, YMT Asks City Governments To Side With Legitimate Managers

Bandung Zoo (Bandung Zoo) . (Between)

JAKARTA - The Tamansari Wildlife Foundation (YMT) has asked the Bandung City Government (Pemkot) to side with the legitimate manager of the Bandung Zoo (Bandung Zoo) which has clear legality, in order to maintain legal certainty and sustainability of animal conservation.

"Yes, until now Bandung Zoo is still closed. We understand that the City Government is receiving blasphemy from various parties so that it cannot continue the contract. But we hope that support will still be given, because this involves city assets," said YMT leader John Sumampau in Bandung, Friday, confiscated by Antara.

According to John, YMT welcomed the direction of the Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, who emphasized the importance of professional governance in managing zoos.

"We have the same commitment, namely maintaining animal welfare, providing comfort for visitors, and making Bandung Zoo a conservation, education and recreation center for the pride of the people of Bandung," he said.

He emphasized that YMT is the holder of the valid mandate based on the deed of the foundation which was recognized by the Directorate General of General Legal Administration of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. Therefore, there is no dualism of management in YMT's body.

"Every effort of other parties that undermines YMT's legitimacy is baseless and has the potential to harm the sustainability of animal conservation and the public interest," he said.

John added that with the support of all parties, Bandung Zoo is expected to be reopened to people with new, better, transparent, and conservation-oriented faces soon.

Previously, the Bandung City Government, West Java, confirmed that it would not reopen the Bandung Zoo (Bandung Zoo) during the internal conflict within the Tamansari Wildlife Foundation (YMT) as the manager is still ongoing.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the management of these conservation institutions must comply with legal regulations by ensuring that those with clear legal standings.

"In the internal, this foundation is still in conflict. When mediated by the Bandung City Police and BKAD, it turns out that they don't want peace, so that's it," said Mayor Farhan in a statement received in Bandung, Friday, September 26.