KUALA LUMPUR, May 25: If one carries out cruelty to wildlife in Malaysia, the maximum penalty is an RM50,000 fine or a year’s jail, or both if found guilty, as provided for in the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has detained a man after a video allegedly showing him spraying paint on a caged monkey went viral online, BERNAMA reported.
The man is to be investigated under Section 86 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) which covers acts that willfully cause unnecessary suffering, pain or discomfort to any wildlife.
Sungai Buloh police chief Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor said a report was lodged at 2.10 am yesterday by a veterinary officer from the Petaling district concerning the viral video.
“The complainant had viewed a five-second video that went viral on Facebook, showing a man spraying paint on a monkey in a cage. The incident is believed to have taken place at Taman Desa Moccis, U17, Shah Alam.
“Following preliminary investigations, the Sungai Buloh Police headquarters classified the case as one to be referred to other agencies, namely the Department of Veterinary Services and Perhilitan,” Mohd Hafiz said in a statement.
He said Perhilitan had also lodged a report regarding the arrest of the man under Section 86 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact the nearest police station or reach out to Sgt Maj Azmir Azriezal Ramli at 019-5665870.
WE