Posted As Forwarded. Press Release. When Will Mala..

[Posted as forwarded]

PRESS RELEASE

When Will Malaysia Take Animal Cruelty Seriously?

Another life lost. Another act of brutality. Another outrage that will soon fade into silence.

A recent incident in Rawang, where an elderly man allegedly beat a puppy to death for stealing food, has once again shone a harsh light on Malaysia’s glaring inaction when it comes to animal cruelty. This is not an isolated case. It is part of a deeply disturbing trend that reflects our collective failure to protect the voiceless.

We have seen it before—the brutal killing of Kopi, the stray dog shot dead in Terengganu despite being a beloved community pet.

We have seen countless cases of dogs and cats tortured, poisoned, or burned alive.

And worst of all, we have seen government bodies, the very institutions that should enforce animal welfare laws, participate in the mass shooting of strays, treating them as mere pests to be exterminated rather than sentient beings deserving of protection.

The Animal Welfare Act (2015) was passed with much fanfare, promising hefty fines and jail sentences for those who inflict cruelty on animals. Yet, eight years later, we are still reading the same heartbreaking headlines. The law exists, but enforcement is almost nonexistent. Convictions are rare. Perpetrators walk free. And councils continue their archaic culling methods, despite protests and petitions from the public.

What does this say about us as a society?

It is often said that a nation’s progress can be measured by how it treats its most vulnerable—children, the elderly, and animals.

By that standard, Malaysia is failing. We speak of kindness, of being a compassionate society, of striving for greatness. But words mean nothing if our actions betray them.

If we want real change, we need zero tolerance for animal cruelty.

We need to push for:

Immediate and firm legal action against individuals and organizations involved in animal abuse. A slap on the wrist is not enough.

Mandatory enforcement of humane stray management policies, such as nationwide trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs, rather than barbaric killings.

Severe penalties for local councils that authorize the shooting or poisoning of stray animals. Government inaction is complicity.

A dedicated task force to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty cases, independent of authorities that have failed the cause time and again.

This is not just about protecting animals; it is about who we are as a people. A society that normalizes violence against animals fosters a culture where cruelty is acceptable. Today, it is a puppy. Tomorrow, it could be a child.

Malaysia, how much longer will we turn a blind eye? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we decide that enough is enough?

This is not just an incident to be outraged about for a day. This is a call for action. And action must begin now.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

ANIMAL WELFARE ACTIVIST

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