Speak up against cruelty to animals
ANIMAL welfare matters have long been ignored. There have been many cases of pets and wildlife being treated inhumanely; locked up in tiny cages, or tied to short leashes and left in the hot sun. Even pet shops place their animals in small cages, with barely any room for them to move.
The recent grisly image of a pregnant cat named “Cantik” by her owner being brutally killed with its four paws dismembered is definitely an outrageous, inhumane and despicable act that must not go unpunished. It calls for police investigation with the hope that the culprit will be brought to justice.
One has no words to describe the pain the poor creature had gone through. This and other cases of animal cruelty, should be a wake-up call for the nation to be more concerned about animal welfare issues in our country.
Animal abuse is a much overlooked issue. Repeated calls by animal welfare associations to local authorities to implement animal-friendly policies and putting a halt to animal cruelty were sadly ignored.
Itisnosurprisethatwekeeponhearing cases of animal cruelty every day as the local authorities are not sensitive to this issue. As such, there must be uniformity in law enforcement to protect animals. The Animal Welfare Act 2015 must be implemented nationwide.
The situation is worsened by people of unsound mind who are sadistic in meting out cruelty towards animals. Animal abuse affects not only pets, but also livestock, circus animals, and the poor animals used in laboratories. There are a few things that one can do to raise awareness of this issue.
FIRSTLY, efforts should be made in working with the Education Ministry to hold educational campaigns in preschools, primary and secondary schools to inculcate love and care for animals from young to create a compassionate and caring society with love for animals.
SECONDLY, to volunteer at a local animal shelter. Volunteering one’s time in helping these poor animals could be one way of creating awareness on this issue.
If one is not able to allocate one’s time, consider donating to a shelter or even a respectable charity organisation to raise awareness and prevent animal cruelty.
Many countries have designated April as the “Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month” with the tagline of “Go Orange for Animals”. It may be timely for Malaysia to do likewise.
During this month, wearing orange and posting orange paw-printed ribbons on social media is a creative way to show support against animal cruelty. This can be promoted to make a difference in our community.
Reporting animal cruelty is of utmost importance. If one witnesses animal cruelty, do not turn a blind eye. Animals cannot speak up for themselves, so we must be their voice. Do call the police if you are in doubt about what to do. Guidelines must also be introduced for the authorities on how to act if such complaints are received.
FINALLY, spread the word to the community around you that we must put a stop to all forms of animal cruelty. More people must be aware of the seriousness of this issue. The more people who are willing to protect the rights of animals, the better. It is hoped that by implementing all these, we will pave the way towards a compassionate society for domesticated animals as well as those in the wild.
China’s Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd, a major paper and paperboard producer in Asia, has invested RM5.4 billion on two pulp and paper mills in Pahang and Selangor.
They are ND Paper (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (ND Paper Malaysia) in Bentong, Pahang, and ND Paper Malaysia (Selangor) Sdn Bhd (ND Paper Selangor) in Banting, Selangor.
ND Paper Malaysia, an existing pulp and paper mill, has an investment value of RM1.2 billion while ND Paper Selangor, with investment value of RM4.2 billion, will focus on test liner, kraft liner, corrugated medium paper, paper and pulp.
The two projects are expected to create 2,180 job opportunities.
Nine Dragons Paper is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and currently ranked first in the China Fortune 500 list under the sector for paper, printing and packaging companies.
The group owns facilities in China, Vietnam and the United States with an annual production capacity of more than 18.4 million tonnes and valued at more than 60 billion yuan.
“We are confident that Nine Dragons Paper, being a China Fortune 500 company, will be an endorsement for Malaysia as a preferred investment destination,” said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after receiving a courtesy call from the company led by its chairperson, Cheung Yan, recently.
She said the investment environment in Malaysia was attractive due to its strategic location, infrastructure and businessfriendly policies.
“I am very grateful to make this investment decision based on these fundamentals. We believe that governments and enterprises need to mutually support and collaborate with each other,” she added.