Jakarta (ANTARA) - East Jakarta authorities seized five long-tailed macaques, or locally called "kera" (monkey), from "topeng monyet" owners in the Jatinegara neighborhood area, Cakung Sub-district, Monday evening, on grounds of maltreatment meted out to the animals.

Cakung Sub-district Head Ahmad Salahuddin confirmed here, Tuesday, that 32 personnel representing the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry, Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), local Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), and local residents were involved in the operation.

The long-tailed macaques, ill-treated and exploited by their owners for masked-monkey street shows, locally known as "topeng monyet," were sent to rehabilitation centers, he stated.

The monkeys were seized by the East Jakarta authorities in response to a video on an Instagram account that exposed the cruelty against the animals by the "topeng monyet" owners in the Pulo Jahe area of East Jakarta.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan was notified about the maltreatment of the species in the video that went viral on the official Instagram account of JAAN, a non-profit organization functioning since early 2008 to protect wild animals in Indonesia and to fight for the welfare of pets in Jakarta.

During the rescue efforts, the authorities also seized two boxes containing equipment commonly used by the "topeng monyet" owners for masked-monkey street shows, he revealed.

According to ANTARA, the "topeng moyet" show has been banned in Jakarta, West Java, since the past few years.
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Translator: Andi F, Rahmad Nasution
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