KUALA LUMPUR: Since 2011, the agriculture and agro-based industry ministry has been involved in formulating a new act which focuses on animal welfare.
Deputy minister Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said in this regard, the draft of the new act was submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for review and agreement for tabling in Parliament.
“The formulation process took time and to obtain at several levels, views and criticisms of various related parties, including the ministry, government agencies, as well as parties from Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He was replying to Ignatius Dorell Leiking (PKR-Penampang) during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat here today.
Leiking wanted to know if the government would review the existing laws on animal cruelty (Animal Act 1953) and whether it would formulate on cruelty to animals.
Tajuddin said the ministry had amended the Animal Act 1953 last year on penalties for those resorting to cruel acts on animals.
He said according to the earlier provision, the maximum penalty was RM200 but under the new amendment, it was raised to a maximum of RM50,000 or one year’s jail, or both. -Bernama