PETALING JAYA: An animal welfare advocate will embark on a six-day, 290km solo run from Taiping to Parliament to raise awareness and support for the return of three Malaysian elephants currently housed at Tennoji Zoo in Japan.
The run, organised by the Solidariti Bersama DAK Secretariat, will see Neow Choo Seong cover the distance between June 17 and June 22, ending at Parliament on the opening day of the Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Neow said the initiative aims to draw public attention to concerns over the elephants' welfare and encourage greater involvement from the Malaysian government and relevant authorities in addressing their future.
"This run is not about endurance alone. It is a journey of solidarity and a plea for compassion.
"Dara, Amoi and Kelat are part of Malaysia's natural heritage. Since their transfer to Japan, there have been increasing concerns regarding their health and wellbeing.
"We believe the matter deserves urgent attention and should be openly tabled for debate in Parliament," he said in a statement on Sunday (June 14).
The route will take Neow through Perak and Selangor, with scheduled stops in Ipoh, Kampar, Tapah, Bidor, Tanjung Malim and Selayang before reaching Parliament on June 22.
The run will also serve as a travelling awareness campaign, with engagements planned along the route to highlight wildlife conservation and animal welfare issues.
The campaign centres on three elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat, which were transferred to Japan on March 11 this year.
The elephants' transfer has drawn criticism from animal welfare groups and activists, who have questioned whether the animals should remain overseas.
The calls have been countered by updates from Tennoji Zoo and Malaysian officials, who have said the elephants are in good health and adapting well since their arrival.
Neow said he hoped Malaysians from all walks of life would support the effort and help amplify calls to safeguard the welfare of the elephants and explore every possible avenue to bring them home.
The campaign will culminate with the presentation of a public petition at Parliament's main entrance.
The petition is expected to be handed to Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, with organisers hoping the concerns raised can be brought before the Dewan Rakyat.
The secretariat said it hoped the initiative would encourage constructive dialogue between the Malaysian government, relevant authorities and Tennoji Zoo regarding the future of Dara, Amoi and Kelat.
