IPOH: Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth will establish a “Solidarity with DAK Secretariat” to spearhead efforts to bring home three Malaysian elephants currently housed at the Tennoji Zoo in Osaka, Japan.
MCA Youth information chief Neow Choo Seong said the secretariat will serve as a platform to coordinate advocacy, raise public awareness, and drive sustained action to safeguard animal welfare and ensure more humane treatment of wildlife.
“As a first step, a ‘Solidarity with DAK’ gathering will be held on May 9 at 10am at Dataran Zoo Taiping, Perak.
“During the gathering, an official memorandum will be submitted to the director of Zoo Taiping to convey the public’s concerns and demands regarding the plight of Dara, Amoi and Kelat,” he said in a statement on Thursday (April 30).
“The public is urged to support the initiative and push for the safe return of the elephants to Malaysia,” said Neow, who is also the BN Youth Communications Director.
He added that BN and MCA Youth welcomed the call by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail for Zoo Taiping and Night Safari to begin immediate negotiations with Tennoji Zoo Osaka to explore mechanisms for the elephants’ repatriation.
Earlier, a viral video of Malaysian tourists visiting Tennoji Zoo in Osaka raised concerns about the elephants’ living conditions and habitat.
Amoi, aged nine, Dara (14) and Kelat (20) were sent to Tennoji Zoo under the Malaysian Elephant Conservation Programme for breeding and research purposes on March 10.
