BN Youth to hold solidarity rally in Taiping for the return of Dara, Amoi and Kelat from Japan

BN Youth communications director says it will be establishing the DAK Joint Solidarity Secretariat.

05 May 2026 09:42pm

Calls for the return of three elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat, have continued to gain traction online as Malaysians express concern over their welfare and urge authorities to ensure their immediate return to Malaysia. - Photo: FACEBOOK

IPOH – A solidarity gathering is set to take place at Taiping Zoo Square on May 9, as concerned Malaysians rally behind three Malaysian elephants, Dara, Amoi and Kelat, currently housed at a zoo in Japan.

Barisan Nasional Youth communications director Neow Choo Seong announced that BN Youth will be establishing the DAK Joint Solidarity Secretariat, named after the three elephants.

A solidarity gathering is set to take place at Taiping Zoo Square on May 9, as concerned Malaysians rally behind three Malaysian elephants, Dara, Amoi, and Kelat, currently housed at a zoo in Japan.

The secretariat will serve as a coordinating platform for advocacy efforts, public awareness campaigns and ongoing action to champion the animals’ welfare and push for more humane treatment of wildlife.

“As a first step, the DAK Solidarity Gathering will be held at Taiping Zoo Square on May 9 at 10am.

“During the gathering, an official memorandum will be submitted to the Taiping Zoo Director, formally expressing the stand and demands of concerned citizens regarding the fate of Dara, Amoi and Kelat,” he said in a statement today.

Neow, who also serves as MCA youth information chief, welcomed the call by Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail for Taiping Zoo & Night Safari (ZTNS) to immediately open negotiations with Tennoji Zoo Osaka (ZTO) on a mechanism to bring the three elephants home.

“BN Youth invites the public to join us in fighting for this cause and ensuring that DAK can be safely returned to Malaysia,” he added.

The issue came to light after a video posted by Malaysian tourists visiting Tennoji Zoo in Osaka went viral, raising concerns over the elephants’ living conditions and what many described as an inadequate habitat.

Amoi, aged nine, Dara, 14, and Kelat, 20, were transferred to Tennoji Zoo as part of Malaysia’s Elephant Conservation Programme, aimed at facilitating breeding and research.

Wan Rosdy had previously urged Taiping Zoo & Night Safari to take immediate steps to repatriate the three elephants.

He stressed that the animals should be brought back and housed at the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Temerloh, which he said is far better suited to their natural habitat and needs.