DPR Member Calls for Stricter Oversight of Sacrificial Animal Health

Jakarta (ANTARA) - DPR RI member Hindun Anisah has called on the government to tighten oversight of sacrificial animal health ahead of this year’s Eid al-Adha celebration. According to Hindun, such stringent monitoring is crucial to ensure all traded animals meet health standards, physical fitness, and compliance with Islamic sharia. “Sacrificial animals must be completely free from disease to be safe for public consumption during the slaughtering process,” she stated in Jakarta on Monday. She noted that lax oversight risks increasing the circulation of sick livestock, which not only harms the public economically but can also invalidate the sacrificial worship itself. It is known that, based on sharia and health regulations, sacrificial animals must be in an active condition, have a good appetite, and be free from physical defects such as those on the tail or ears. “The spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is feared to degrade the quality of sacrificial meat, disrupt livestock distribution chains, and erode public trust in national food security,” she said. The legislator from Central Java also assessed that the government must implement early mitigation measures. Local Livestock Departments, she said, must conduct comprehensive physical checks at animal markets in their respective areas. Every sacrificial animal must also be equipped with a health certificate from a veterinarian. “Local governments can also tighten inspections of inter-regional livestock transport to anticipate early if sacrificial animals are infected with LSD,” she added. In addition to government oversight, Hindun urged prospective sacrificers to be more discerning in selecting animals. The public is reminded not to be swayed solely by low prices or large animal sizes without considering their health condition. “The public must be wiser. Do not just look at the price and size, but ensure the animal is healthy, free from defects, and compliant with sharia. Public awareness is key because sacrificial worship is not just about quantity, but also quality and safety,” Hindun stated.