Taman Safari Indonesia Refutes Claims of Circus Worker Exploitation

2 days ago 8

April 16, 2025 | 10:49 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Taman Safari Indonesia Commissioner and Oriental Circus Indonesia (OCI) animal trainer, Tony Sumampouw, has denied allegations of exploiting OCI circus workers. These claims emerged after several former employees reportedly approached the Ministry of Human Rights to report alleged exploitation and human rights violations by OCI owners and/or managers, including Tony.

"What was conveyed is entirely fabricated," Tony said in a WhatsApp message to Tempo on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

He clarified that OCI and Taman Safari Indonesia are separate legal entities. He noted that the issue dates back to 1997 and was previously addressed by the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), then led by Ali Said.

Komnas HAM issued an official statement regarding the OCI case. According to the statement, Komnas HAM concluded that human rights violations against former OCI circus workers had occurred.

These violations reportedly included infringements on children's rights to know their origins, identity, and family relationships; freedom from economic exploitation; adequate general education; and adequate security and social protection.

In its statement, Komnas HAM also recommended that OCI prevent and cease "actions that tend to lead to human rights violations."

A chronology provided by a victims' support group alleges that OCI and Taman Safari Indonesia owners and/or managers took and separated approximately 60 children from their parents. The group claims that dozens of children, aged 2-4 years, were allegedly employed without pay, denied education, and kept uninformed of their identities.

Furthermore, victims who were present at the Ministry of Human Rights, mostly middle-aged women, recounted their experiences of being employed as circus performers at OCI since childhood.

They alleged various forms of abuse, including beatings, electric shocks, being forced to work while ill, separation from their newborns, and forced consumption of animal feces. These alleged acts of violence, slavery, and child exploitation reportedly occurred from the 1970s by the owners of OCI and Taman Safari Indonesia, with the Manansang family, founders of Taman Safari Indonesia, including Hadi, Jansen, Frans, and Tony Sumampouw, named as alleged perpetrators.

Tony further stated that he had been contacted regarding these accusations and asked for money. He maintained that the former employees' claims were "baseless" and irrational.

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