The recent announcement on the revision of Animal Welfare Bill 2015 tabled in the Malaysia Dewan Rakyat excites most animal lovers nationwide, however the excitement was only short lived for those residing in Sabah & Sarawak when we found out that the newly revised law is only applicable to Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory Of Labuan.

We were hoping that the newly revised Animal Welfare Bill 2015 is applicable to the whole of Malaysia. We were expecting that the said revised law is made uniformed to cover Malaysia as a country, including Sabah & Sarawak. Until today we are baffled as to why Sabah & Sarawak are not included and we doubt there is any logical explanation to this especially where cruelty is concerned.

While we are unable to speak on behalf of Sarawak (we strongly encourage the Sarawakians to follow suit after us with same petition to their state government), we hope to appeal on behalf of our beloved state of Sabah. 

Each year thousands of animals in Sabah have become victims of animal cruelty, whether it’s by:

1. Neglect

2. Poisoning

3. Forced Fighting (Illegal gambling)

4. Illegal Trade / selling in weekend / open market / pet shops (without permit)

5. Abused & neglected by irresponsible pet owners & public

These animals often suffered, cried in silence and died in horrible manner imaginable.

Various Animal Independent Rescue groups & individuals within the state have gone to the field to rescue, treat the abused, neglected animals and without secured funds, they have even done the extra mile to get each and every rescued animals treated and rehomed.

So what exactly is the State Government role in this situation and how can the state government help? 

The animals mentioned can be in a form of:

1. House pets (cats, dogs, rabbits, etc)

2. Hobbyist pets (horses)

3. Agricultural stocks (cows, goat, chickens, etc)

4. Wildlife (tapir, elephants, tiger, rhinoceros, orang utan, monkey etc)

Hence, we now unanimously appeal, as a citizen of Sabah/Malaysia to the Sabah State Attorney General, Sabah State Government & Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah to review, revise and enforce the existing Sabah Cruelty to Animals (Prevention) Ordinance (last revised was in 1994, on item number 4 only) within the state to ensure that it is align to the recently passed Animal Welfare Bill 2015.

We feel that it is important for the government to ensure that the existing Sabah Cruelty to Animals (Prevention) Ordinance is always current and relevant to reduce and eventually prevent/stop animal cruelty of any form in the state.

We also feel that it is important to encourage and inculcate compassion towards animals within the society in Sabah especially the younger generation and to do that, continuous education and awareness on the Animal Welfare and the existence of Sabah Cruelty to Animals (Prevention) Ordinance is strongly proposed.

So how does the Sabah State Government can help?

1.  To set an exemplary as one of the State in Malaysia that does not condone nor support any form kind of animal cruelty in the state.

 2.  To revise the existing paltry fine of RM500 (this amount is affordable to many these days) to no less than RM50,000. We are living in the millennium era and yet compared to other developed countries, the existing paltry sum is considered as pathetic!

3. To introduce and enforce harsher penalties to offenders. We propose a fine of no less than RM50,000, or no less than 2 years of jail with community work & constant education towards the animal’s welfare throughout the jail sentence, or both upon conviction. We believe that with harsher penalties, public will think twice when committing a crime. Unless they are mentally disturbed, then they should be dealt accordingly and be locked away for public safety for the appropriate rehab.

4. To encourage and support the animal protection agencies, groups as well as public to report and highlight any form of cruelties to the relevant authorities in Sabah, namely the Jabatan Haiwan and PDRM in Sabah to investigate and follow up on any reported cases of animal cruelty in order to act on the offender and to protect those who reported the case.

5. To allow the prosecution of the offender (with strong evidences, via visuals, videos or testimonials) according to the revised Sabah Cruelty to Animals (Prevention) Ordinance. 

6. To continuously enforce the Sabah Cruelty to Animals (Prevention) Ordinance by getting the relevant authorities to conduct random and regular visits to popular weekend / open markets & pet shops within the state to:

     a. Ensure no form of cruelty exist;

     b. Ensure that appropriate permit is applied accordingly;

     c. To check on false documentation in regards to animals trade in the state. 

7.  To encourage and promote the education of Animal welfare awareness in both public and private schools (primary & secondary) in Sabah.

8. To approve and allocate appropriate location (non-flooded, high & dry area, accessible and sufficiently equipped with basic necessities, i.e: electricity and water sources) to build a proper local animal shelter for strays (under the purview of Jabatan Haiwan and the City Council) for the NGO animal shelters in Sabah. 

9. To encourage and educate the City Council employees on the appropriate and humane ways of catching, confining, euthanizing strays (that are gravely ill and beyond help to prevent further pain / suffering). City Council employees is encouraged to work with local animal shelter NGO to ensure humane handling of strays at all times. Employees caught committing cruelty or engaging third parties that engages cruelty to strays will be dealt severely according to the revised Sabah Cruelty to Animals (Prevention) Ordinance.

With this appeal, we attach herewith the signatures of the Sabahan/Malaysians that supports the above move via this petition for the Sabah State Attorney General, Sabah State Government and Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah's further action.

It is our sincere hope that all the relevant parties mentioned above will look into these appeal and act accordingly with immediate effect.