SPCA Selangor Statement On FlyFM Incident

SPCA Selangor is writing in response to the radio interview broadcast over FlyFM on Tuesday, 3rd July and FlyFM's apology and explanation on its Facebook page on Wednesday, 4th July, in relation to the response of two of the announcers, Phat Fabes and Ben, to a caller who disclosed that she had run over a cat on the road.

We thank FlyFM for its considered response published on its Facebook page, but regret that the apology was for having upset the station's listeners, as opposed to an apology for not expressing appropriate concern for the injured or killed animal. While we accept that the collision of the caller's vehicle with the cat was unintentional and beyond the control or knowledge of the station or the announcers, the announcers should have responded with sympathy and grace. Humour may be an important element of the particular radio programme, but it has its time and place.

Radio is an important medium of education and information, and we therefore strongly encourage FlyFM and its announcers to demonstrate sincerity and accountability over the incident by running a series of public service announcements on animal welfare. The SPCA and other animal rights organisations in Malaysia has a wide selection of public service announcements that the radio station could reproduce on air. We would also strongly encourage the two announcers to visit the SPCA Selangor animal shelter in Ampang Jaya or any other registered animal shelter in Malaysia to understand the harsh realities of animal overpopulation, abandonment and abuse in Malaysia. No animal wants to be a victim of abuse, abandonment or traffic accidents. You may contact our Marketing and Communications officers, Helen Chan <helen.spca> and Pyo Ng <pyo.spca> at any time to make an appointment to visit or volunteer at our animal shelter, which is open from 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. daily.</pyo.spca></helen.spca>

It is hoped that FlyFM will not consider this issue resolved with the mere publication of an equivocal apology on its Facebook page, but will take steps to promote animal welfare and humane education and ensure that all its announcers demonstrate compassion and concern for all living things.

For the Animals,Christine Chin RadfordChairperson,SPCA Selangor