Animal Welfare Act: 'Politics may divide us, this new bill unites us' - Lam Thye

The government or the opposition politicians are on the same page on at least one thing: the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, said Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Selangor patron, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

"I would like to thank the Minister of Agriculture and team as well as the Attorney-General Chambers for not delaying it any longer to push the act to the Parliament.

"I also extend my gratitude to all MPs who had eloquently debated and supported this new Act. While politics may divide us, let the this Animal Welfare Act unite us all.

"I hope that strong and effective enforcement will follow suit as well," said Lam Thye at a press conference held at SPCA in Ampang, Selangor, Saturday.

SPCA Chairman Christine Chin said, the organisation lauds government for its effort in taking a strong stance against animal cruelty.

"A 20-year research in Massachusetts, United States of America boasts concrete evidence that animal abusers are five times more likely to inflict their abuse beyond animals and go on to abuse children, women and become a menace to society at large.

"Even FBI considers animal cruelty a big red flag and monitors and the activities and movement convicted animal abusers."

On Wednesday, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Animal Welfare Bill 2015 to promote responsible welfare and ownership of animals.

The Bill will allow for the setting up of the Animal Welfare Board whose functions include monitoring the work of associations or bodies set up for the purpose of preventing trauma, pain or suffering to animals.

Lam Thye said since the board largely helmed by Director-Generals of relevant animal-related Ministries, SPCA Selangor is also lobbying to be appointed to the Board as well.

"As the NGO, we would like to contribute our ideas to the government to help the sentient beings, and also bring feedback from the citizen about the current situation regarding animals welfare," he said.

The Bill also proposes a minimum fine of RM20,000 and a maximum fine of RM100,000 and imprisonment of up to three years, or both for a first offence for offences under the act, including victimising animals, killing by shooting without reasonable cause, poisoning and animal fighting trade.

Once the law is put into effect, Malaysia will be at par with member countries of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) which have specific laws related to animal welfare, such as India, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.