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esidents of Pulo mas, East Jakarta, whose homes are located within 1-kilometer of Jakarta International Equestrian Park, Pulomas, are supporting the Jakarta administration’s decision to ban the slaughtering of animals in the area over the next few weeks, including during Idul Adha.

The temporary ban was introduced to prevent the spread of anthrax among horses that will compete in this year’s Asian Games from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2. Idul Adha, the day on which Muslims sacrifice cattle, is scheduled to fall on Aug. 22 this year.

Residents near Nurul Huda Mosque were at first shocked by the policy, but they eventually accepted it following three briefings held by the administration since July.

“It’s not a ban on sacrificing animals, it’s a temporary distancing of their slaughtering,” said an Idul Adha committee member and head of a neighborhood unit (RT) near the mosque, Weni Ajibroto.

Last year, residents held 14 cows and around 80 goats within the mosque’s compound. The animals were slaughtered within the compound or on the streets. However, to comply with the policy, Weni explained that, this year, the committee chose to keep all animals at a private slaughterhouse on Jl. Cipinang Baru Raya.

The administration previously suggested that the residents use a city-owned slaughterhouse in Cakung, East Jakarta, but they opted for the private slaughterhouse because of its nearby location.

“When else do we get to host the Asian Games? We want to be a good host,” he said.

The Jakarta administration imposed on July 10 Jakarta Governor Instruction No. 123/2017 on the limits to slaughtering activities to allow the Indonesian Asian Games Organizing Committee (INASGOC) to obtain official equine disease-free zone certification from the World Organization for Animal Health. The ban affects 35 mosques in Kayu Putih, Rawamangun, Pulogadung, Jati, Kelapa Gading Barat and Kelapa Gading Timur subdistricts.

Anticipating resistance, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan urged residents to respect the city’s decision, as Jakarta rarely hosted prestigious international events.

“Indonesia last hosted the event [Asian Games] 56 years ago. Host nations [of multisport events] across the globe have the same regulation,” he said when announcing the ban last month.

Yasian Gautama, an RT head near Jami’ Baabut Taubah Mosque, said it was logical for the administration to impose the restriction, especially because the capital city was hosting a large international event.

“The administration did nothing wrong. I mean, look over there,” he said, pointing to roosters caged on an alley in front of his house. “They did not get rid of the roosters, unless they plan to feed them to the athletes,” he said as he threw his head back in laughter.

He admitted that being an Asian Games host was not easy and hoped that international athletes and officials would enjoy their stay. “Who knows, if they’re satisfied, they’ll come back,” Yasian said.

The Jami’ Baabut Taubah Idul Adha celebration committee planned to relocate slaughtering activities to the Cakung slaughterhouse, which is run by city-owned firm PD Dharma Jaya.

The committee initially planned to stock and slaughter around 10 cows and 70 goats at a nearby soccer field. However, the field is within 1 km of the restricted zone and was converted to a Jakarta velodrome for BMX.

The committee also planned to adapt to the temporary rule by delivering meat to residents, instead of having them pick up cuts at the mosque. Doing so, Yasian said, would result in smaller crowds, which would mean more manageable traffic. (nor)