M'sian "Animal Rights Activism" - Quo Vadis?

For a long time, I wished to have a dog in my life- simply because it is an "enriching" experience. When the right situation came- I got my dogs ... two lovely Beagles (Mojo & Chopper).

About a year ago, I was introduced to the predicament faced by animals under the hands of the authorities- thru the senseless actions of some animal haters and the MPS enforcement officers. Believe me, the senselessness of people and the relevant authorities can be quite mind-boggling ....
(Looking at the state of the nation today, one cannot help but reflect on how right Gandhi was when he said that “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”).
The MPS has ceased "operations" for now, although MPS still refuses to license my dogs despite the fact that their legal advisors say that the dogs can be licensed. That is a job in progress, and we still wish to push forward towards getting it sorted out amicably- instead of confrontational methods. But that isn't what I wish to write about ...

After getting in touch with a few NGOs/Societies which care for animal welfare, I'm almost jaded by the attitude of some of these agencies. Somehow there seems to be a "disconnect" between the general public, legislators, educators and the Animal Welfare activists. One even went so far as to say that it isn't their role to educate "politicians"!

What is their brand of activism- I wonder ...
Is it all about about crying over abused animals and rescuing them? Is it raving and ranting at perceived ghosts under the bed? Is it about demonizing all those who do not agree with you?

Or is is about educating the public about love & compassion?
Is it about creating awareness through various channels, barring none?
Has the Animal Rights/Welfare got a political platform to pursue their agenda?

Anyways- the following was a response from me to MDDB on their FB page today after "somebody" posted a very "polite & intellectual" (duhhh!) reply to Latheefa Koya.
Anyway, much of it should also apply to many of the activists who have yet to show much results in preventing (not just rescuing) abuse of animals after all these years of hard work.

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Dear MDDB,
I have been removed from the MDDB's adoption page by a certain commenter/admin, and I bear no grudge/ ill-intent towards him/her for it.

On the page, a political statement was made, and I only gave a different viewpoint in the thread. I also posted a response from Latheefa, in response to that statement- simply becos- I presume that you had valid reasons for your stance, and "could take as good as you give".
My intention in saying what I did, is towards achieving the same goals which you yourselves fight for.

I'm all for preventing animal abuse- ever since I've been awakened to this phenomenon.
With regard to all quarters which have done their good work towards alleviating the distress of defenseless animals- Kudos to you!!
You have my utmost appreciation & respect.

But I'm quite disappointed with the hostile methods employed by certain quarters who do not seem to be able to capitalize on the admiration & respect for their works, and instead turn people off through their anger & hostility which they hurl at their potential allies.
How does one prevent abuse when one is abusive themselves towards those who differ on the methods towards achieving the shared goal?

Is "activism" about "putting out bush-fires" alone, by going around saving animals in distress- which will be a never ending story- or does it also involve legislation and education of the masses to prevent the occurrence of the abuse?
Should you not be able to rationalize, intellectualize, philosophize in order to spread the love/goodwill towards educating the general public?

Sad- some believe that the way forward based on "1st world" model of activism is to refrain from educating the people (politicians included)....
just threaten that you'll "complain",
then try intimidating, failing which- hurl verbal abuse- call them psychos, use 4-letter words, curse, rave & rant ....
then ban the fella who doesn't agree with you,
alienate those who you fear may "steal the thunder" from you or do not share your opinions and shut them up .....
and then ask for support!!

In any struggle, there will be differences between the various parties fighting for a similar cause.
Why focus on differences and bicker, when you can share your common interests and stand together?
Why focus on the past and crib about apparent "betrayal/neglect/disregard"?
Why make adversaries when you can make allies?
Why make enemies when you can make friends?
Should you not be encouraging participation through inclusiveness, rather than maintaining exclusivity?
Should you not raise yourself above the fray?

So what if someone gets some "mileage" out the/ an event?
Would it not help the cause, (even if not us personally) if we have one more platform- no matter how big or small- from which we can fight for the same cause?

Maybe MDDB should re-think their strategies ...
Meanwhile- I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
God Bless.

PS
You may ban me if you like, 'cos it doesn't really matter- as there are many other platforms for me to air my viewpoints.
Take care.

More on Malaysian Govts' "love" for the vulnerable ..

It’s a dog’s life for cats too

September 8, 2011

FMT LETTER

From Shenaaz Khan, via e-mail

Left alone; terrified, tortured and trapped, the missing Petknode victims have already been condemned to gruesome deaths! Any hope of finding the 100 or so missing cats is all but lost. And we have our magnificent enforcement agencies to thank for this.

Their hideous disinterest in saving innocent lives and a complete fascination with impeding tireless efforts are reflective of an establishment that has lost every sense of humanity. The lying lazy louts responsible for fighting crime in this country have displayed very little polish in policing.

Equipped with an army of excuses, they’ve taken the position of indifference and are refusing to budge! The catalogue of Petknodes crimes includes theft, fraud, cruelty and murder. Charging and convicting them would be without effort.

But it appears that the heartless, wicked act of leaving animals to die of starvation and dehydration, in a pool of their own faeces and urine is mere kitchen matter and unworthy of further constabulary action.

The cat carnage at Petknode may shock many but various means of animal cruelty take place in Malaysia every blinking day. From brutal dog catching to deplorable farming conditions, animals are treated like, well, animals.

Pathetic punitive measures taken against abusers have facilitated the mass murders of innocent animals in this country for the last 54 years. Vicious kitten killers, barbaric dog catchers and inhumane zoo operators roam our streets free of consequences.

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and the Police of course can be credited for the continued and widespread abuse of animals in this country. For years, NGOs and activists alike have lobbied for tougher laws and greater enforcement but the struggle against animal abuse has borne very little fruit.

And while activists have been made to look like a bunch of chickens cackling in a barn, the DVS, Ministry of Agriculture and the government have barely pawed at the plight of animals. A new promise of prosecutorial persecution is being made in the form of a spanking new legislation.

Prefabricated statements and stale metaphors are being disseminated to appear effective. But real enforcement is habitually being dodged and has proven to be a complete and utter failure. Cases of cruelty have repeatedly gone unpunished and unchecked.

The Raya massacre of hundreds of cats by Petknode is inevitably the result of the government’s apathy towards animal welfare as a whole. It has become a sickening institutional pattern. Animal rights go beyond coughing up laws or spewing sacred scriptures. It is about overhauling this entire wretched system of governance.

Our very own cat owning prime minister (we know this because a point was made to front page his epic adoption of a kitten awhile back), has made no comment or condemnation on an issue of public interest.

In fact, he has remained stoically silent on all cases of animal abuse. Hence it is no surprise that cruelty towards living beings has become an acceptable part of our decaying society. It is equally frightening and regrettable that many owners, whose cats were lucky enough to be saved, have no interest in pursuing action against Petknode.

Their selfishness compels one to conclude their acceptance of the cold-blooded murder of the 17 dead cats. In a country where one’s religion is iron-stamped upon one at the window of the womb, it is shameful that basic human kindness has chronically been banished. The battle to save those poor cats may be lost.

To my fellow Malaysians, may you sleep with the knowledge that innocent animals are dead because we have shirked our human responsibilities. And to the powers that be, wake up and smell the dead cats!

The writer is president of the Malaysian Animal Welfare Society

SPCA Condemns animal cruelty [& gives free "expert" (sic) medical opinion!]

"6. The operators undergo psychiatric treatment and
be banned from animal businesses and from owning pets for life,
unless the court has been satisfied by their rehabilitation."

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SPCA: DVS and police must prosecute Petknode owners for animal cruelty

by KomunitiKini on 7 Sep, 2011

Tagged: Animal Abuse, PetKnode, SPCA

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The carnage and pitiful sight of the animals boarded at Pet Hotel from Hell has stunned Malaysians and animal welfarists with the indifference, insensitivity, abject neglect of a moral and legal responsibility towards 300 animals.

The owners had to leave Kuala Lumpur for their hometowns during the Hari Raya Celebration to be with their families.

What was supposed to be a wonderful return to KL has turned into a nightmare where their pet cats that had been sent for boarding were malnourished, extremely dehydrated, and filthy.

It has been reported 13 cats have died. SPCA Selangor is appalled and shocked at the severity of the condition of the cats at Petknode in Damansara Damai and we strongly urge the Department of Veterinary Services and Police, yet again, that the owners/operators of this pet hotel be hit with the full force of the law, that is hardly used by the authorities to curtail and prosecute animal abusers.

SPCA Selangor urges that they be charged RM 200 per cat, which totals RM 60,000 and imprisonment for the full 6 months as stipulated in The Animal Act 1953 (amended 2006)Sec 44.

Undoubtedly these operators will give a host of excuses as to why they abdicated on their duty to care for the animals. SPCA Selangor maintains there is no excuse.

Whether it’s a scam or not, they have a legal and moral responsibility to the cats entrusted into their care and failure to do so will leave them open to be charged for cruelty to animals.

Sec 44 states that anyone “by wantonly or unreasonably doing or omitting to do any act, that causes unnecessary pain and suffering shall be guilty of an offence of cruelty”.

SPCA Selangor has the following to recommend:

1. That all pet owners to do a reasonable check on any boarding facility and meet the operators at their premises and ask how their pets will be cared for.

2. Get references from friends and other animal carers about the track record of the facility.

3. Get to know the operators well and call in regularly during your holidays and talk to the carers or ask friends, family or colleagues to drop by, if possible.

4. Ask friends to assist in boarding your pets, whenever possible.

5. That all pet shops and boarding facilities be approved by DVS either via licensing or general check on the background of the operators.

6. The operators undergo psychiatric treatment and be banned from animal businesses and from owning pets for life, unless the court has been satisfied by their rehabilitation.

Rule of Law- Of Cats, "Injustice" & the mob

Tearful cat lovers bay for blood over hell ‘hotel’

By Shannon Teoh

September 05, 2011

A woman cries during the press conference over the Petknode pet hotel, at the Armada Hotel in Petaling Jaya, September 5, 2011.—Picture by Jack Ooi

PETALING JAYA, Sept 5 — Pet lovers here rallied behind owners of over 150 cats that were left starving, dehydrated and covered in their own waste for up to nine days over the Hari Raya break, calling for “real punishment” for the operators of a “pet hotel” service that also left up to 16 cats dead.

Choking back tears, Bazilah also clarified that it was a group of 20 to 30 pet owners, who arrived soon after, which collectively decided to break into the premise and not the police as reported earlier today.

“.... We took the risk to break into the premise and not the police as reported
... Cat owners in the city had left their pets with Petknode ahead of the “balik kampong” exodus for a promotional price of just RM3.95 a night.

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SAY NO TO INJUSTICE!

by Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better
on Tuesday, 06 September 2011 at 13:09

ATTENTION PLEASE: The Damansara Damai police station has called two of the KTAJ rescuers to go there immediately. They have asked for the fosterer's list and want to send the cats to DVS. This would be sure death for some of the cats. We have also been told that the police wants to charge the group that had broken into the premises. Are they crazy? .......

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Okay now ... hold your horses/cats/dogs & chill for a minute, mate!
It's very touching to see these pet-owners shedding tears for their pets- but I wouldn't go near a RM3.95 per day pet hotel even if you paid me to....

Anyways- this is my take on the whole matter .... What I say here, in no way meant to suggest the justification of the cruelty to the animals.

• In an ideal situation, there should be written/unwritten "rules & terms of engagement" as agreed to by lawmakers/culture/traditions.
• Those who flout these "rules & terms" (even for valid reasons) should be prepared to face the consequences, and pay the price.
• Fight for what you believe in, but don't complain when you "kantoi" .... or have to face the repercussions- just "run for your life or die"!!
  

It is the stuff idealism and noble causes are made of. That's life.
Now,

• Those who committed the crime should definitely face the music.

• To the brave rescuers- well done for "taking the risk" they very well knew was in store for them in breaking-in to the premises. It also means that they were willing to face the music to stand up for justice and face the consequences of their action.

Is PDRM being "crazy" here? I'm no fan of PDRM, but I don't think so ....
Just because they allowed the UMNO-aligned NGO mobs to create a ruckus in the past- it doesn't mean they should allow others to take the law in their own hands in all cases. (Some allege that it helps if you had connections with the underworld though ...)

They (PDRM) are just enforcers of law, which the perpetrators of the "crime" knowingly risked flouting- actions which I'm sure the brave rescuers were prepared to defend in a court of law.
(It'll be good if these rescuers can be counted on to raid the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang dog pound in Rawang future- should they abuse or starve the dogs held there- maybe these rescuers can come break-in, burn it down and then demand that those responsible be jailed too).
Having said that- allow me to make it clear that I do not endorse break-ins or such acts of violence, okay.

Let the Police do their job- so far they only called these guys for questioning. Even if arrested and charged, I presume it would be a bailable offense. Furthermore, it is actually up to the AGC to decide whether the rescuers are to be charged/prosecuted.
MDDB says- "These girls and volunteers should not be prosecuted for saving the lives of the many cats that were trapped there" and I agree. However, as I said- that would depend on the AGC- and should they be prosecuted, and in any case, I'm sure they have a good defense.

Wiki says:- The principles contained in good Samaritan laws more typically operate in countries in which the foundation of the legal system is English Common Law. Good Samaritan laws are laws or acts protecting those who choose to serve and tend to others who are injured or ill. They are intended to reduce bystanders' hesitation to assist, for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death.

In fact a judgement in their favour would probably set a good precedent.
Those who plan to picket- I wouldn't encourage it, although they could do it as a publicity stunt to raise awareness on Animal Cruelty. Should the duo be charged- I'd suggest that they get "pro-bono" legal representation and picket at the trial .... that may help cause better by bringing about a posotive judgment in favour of Animal welfare!
Already, The Star has reported some positive outcome through DVS from this incident ... HERE & HERE (yes- this "rating" exercise by DVS, is for stupid pet-owners who cannot see for themselves ... maybe they'll need rating for private hospitals next).

I wonder what is so wrong about the cats being handed over to the DVS- they will be doing whatever is necessary under their purview to determine the best outcome. Those animals which may pose a health hazard, will be euthanized for sure- rather than prolonging their suffering through feigned care. If kind souls like, I'm sure the DVS would oblige in allowing for adoption- any animal loving NGO could adopt them en masse if they're game for it.

Speaking of cruelty ...
- what would you say about a person who settles for a RM3.95/day care for his/her pet? Doesn't the price ring alarm bells?
"You pay peanuts, you get monkeys" - so goes the saying.
They must be very "wise" to expect 5-star treatment for "Rumah Tumpangan" price ...

So, pertinent questions which may be asked in this case are:-

1. Why doesn't DVS charge the "pet-hotel" for animal cruelty?
   
2. Are the rescuers liable for the break-in?
   
3. Are the Police liable for the allowing the "crime" by saying ‘if you want to break, just break.’
4. What exactly were the terms of the "promotional price" offered by the "pet-hotel"?
   
5. Are the pet owners also liable for irresponsibly accepting a "Rumah Tumpangan" offer?
   

BERNAMA "journalism" at its best ....

Student denies praising PM's speech in Australia
~Malaysiakini

Nigel Aw
Sep 5, 11
3:55pm

A Malaysian student, who was at a dinner held for Najib Abdul Razak in Perth, has denied praising the premier's speech, as reported by national news agency Bernama.

Malaysiakini managed to track down the student through a social networking website, and found that he had already posted a complaint that the report had distorted his words.

When contacted, he expressed surprise over the report, as he had made the comments prior to Najib's speech.

Requesting anonymity as he is a government scholar, the student expressed genuine excitement about meeting the prime minister but did not praise the speech as he had not listened to it yet.

"They totally changed and added stuff that we never said. And the whole thing was done before the speech ... I feel it is rather silly and unnecessary," he said.

"They... put in quotes that we actually did not say and altered our words. We did not say anything bad so I don't see why they needed to do that.”

Malaysiakini learnt that the students were asked to write their comments on a piece of paper prior to the speech, which was subsequently used to process the Bernama report.

Asked what the student had really thought of the speech, he described it as it as "formal" and "nothing special".

"It was a formal event, there was nothing special and the speech was pretty much formulated, promoting 1Malaysia. It was the usual speech," he said.

Another of the nine students quoted in the report, when contacted through the social networking website, also confirmed that additions were made to the quotes in a tone that praised the speech, but she declined to elaborate.

The dinner, announced via the Malaysian Students' Council of Australia's Facebook page, was held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth last Saturday.

According to MASCA's Facebook invitation, the dinner was open to students sponsored by the Public Service Department, Mara and Petronas.

Also present at the event was Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, and officials from the Malaysian mission.

Tribute to Steve Jobs

"Your time is limited,
so don't waste it living someone else's life.
Don't be trapped by dogma —
which is living with the results of other people's thinking.
Don't let the noise of others' opinions
drown out your own inner voice.
And most important,
have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.
They somehow already know what you truly want to become.
Everything else is secondary."

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903596904576520690515394766.html#ixzz1W0u0txZW

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Alright Editor- We can forgive ... but you're still an idiot!

The apology issued by the management and editorial department of Sinar Harian was published on page 8 of today's issue.

"We admit the error in the publication of 'Objectives of the Christian movement' in the Info column on page 9, edition Aug 23, 2011, yesterday.

"The information published is not accurate.

"Therefore we retract the Info and apologise to all Sinar Harian readers, especially Christians, over the error committed."

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A despicable piece of journalism

Rev Dr Hermen Shastri
Aug 24, 11
3:55pm

The Council of Churches of Malaysia welcomes the apology tendered by the Malay language daily Sinar Harian over its article 'Matlamat Gerakan Kristian' (Objectives of the Christian movement) published on Aug 23.

They have admitted that the information published in the article is inaccurate and in error. However we note that there has been no expression of remorse.

The suggestions that Christian groups would encourage immoral activities as part of an attempt to propagate their faith is clearly preposterous, erroneous, inflammatory, and a flagrant attack on another religion.

It is our view that any reasonable person would have found the article totally offensive, not just to the Christians in our country but to all decent-minded and peace-loving people.

This despicable piece of journalism, and other stories like it, should never be repeated. The management and the editorial department of Sinar Harian must now prove the sincerity of their apology by publicly stating what measures they are taking to ensure that stories of this nature are never published again in their newspaper.

Unless there are systemic changes in their editorial processes, and proper procedures and guidelines are put in place, there is no guarantee that the newspaper, or others like it, will not repeat the harm done on another occasion.

A respected and responsible newspaper must ensure at all times that it is never a party to callous and insensitive reporting bent on destroying the good relationship among the religious communities in our country.

Rev Dr Hermen Shastri is general secretary, Council of Churches of Malaysia.