Jakarta Governor, Basuki “Ahok” T Purnama denied that he never legalize dog meat to be consumed in Jakarta. He only wanted to protect Jakarta residents from rabies through supervision way.

This is not about dog meat, but I got report from residents that there are many dogs infected rabies from neighboring cities and spread to the city

“ This is not about dog meat, but I got report from residents that there are many dogs infected rabies from neighboring cities and spread to the city ,” he said, at City Hall, Wednesday (9/30).

According to the law, he emphasized, there is no ban that regulates people prohibited to consume dog meat. “I do not like to eat dog meat, but I am an animal lover. The current focus is how the way to prevent rabies to other dogs in our city,” he expressed.

He asserted that Jakarta has been free from rabies since 1980, that is why he wants to protect residents from rabies. “Hence, I summoned the Marine, Agriculture, and Food Security Department to discuss this matter,” he told.

Ahok will not set regulation of dog meat circulation but attached it in the existing one. “This has been the government's obligation to protect resident," he asserted.