Masses Gather At Bandung Zoo Reject Sealing

Masses gathered at the Bandung Zoo, Thursday (27/7/2023). (ANTARA/Special)

BANDUNG - Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Bandung Zoo, Jalan Tamansari, Bandung City, voiced rejection of the Bandung City Government's plan to seal the land on which the Bandung Zoo stands.

In the action, the masses who declared themselves elements of the people of Bandung, voiced that they were doing this for the spontaneity and concern for the fate of the Bandung Zoo.

"We are not thugs, not paid people, but this is a spontaneity and concern for the Bandung Zoo which is a cultural heritage," said the orator at the location as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, July 27.

In this action, the masses expressed their main statement of attitude so that the Bandung City Government would respect the legal process which is said to be still ongoing.

"We ask the Bandung City Government to respect the rights of every citizen of the Republic of Indonesia in this case, regarding the ongoing legal process in accordance with the principles of the state of law. So that sealing and takeover cannot be carried out because the decision has not been signed," said the orator.

Meanwhile, the head of the Taman Margasatwa Taman Sari Foundation (TMT) Bisma Bratakusuma said the masses gathered on their own initiative as a form of support.

Although there is a collection of masses and news of sealing by the Bandung City Government, Bisma ensures that the Bandung Zoo continues to operate and is open to the public.

"Operational continues to run normally, we remain open. Regarding the masses, we advise to maintain conduciveness," he said.

Responding to this action, the Daily Executive (Plh) of the Mayor of Bandung, Ema Sumarna, stated that he would buy time for sealing, because the spirit of the Bandung City Government was to protect the community.

"We will see the situation if the atmosphere is like that, we will give in first, we will slope it first, which is in front of us as well as our society. When we have to face the community. We are protectors of the community, maybe they don't really understand this yet," said Ema at Bandung City Hall.

It is known that the sealing of the Bandung Zoo was carried out after the Bandung City Government issued a third warning letter asking the Taman Margasatwa Tamansari Foundation to pay land lease debts of around Rp. 17 billion.