‘Where is the monkey?': Peka demands accountability and answers over Shah Alam animal abuse case

The Star

5 days ago

PETALING JAYA: The Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia (Peka) has demanded answers from the authorities over the fate of a monkey seen doused in blue spray paint in a viral video that sparked public outrage last week.
Peka president Rajesh Nagarajan raised alarm over the silence surrounding the case, questioning which agency currently has custody of the animal and what condition it is in.
'Where is the monkey? What is its current condition? Why is there no answer from anyone on its whereabouts?
'Is it with Perhilitan? Is it with the Animal Welfare Board or somewhere else? The people who have the monkey right now must speak up and give updates,' Rajesh said during a press conference here on Friday (May 30).
He said the incident has become a matter of public interest, adding that 'the entire country saw the viral video and so many Malaysians are now emotionally invested in this case.'
'Everyone needs to know what is happening to the monkey. Who has it, and why are they keeping quiet?
'We also want to know why the perpetrator was not charged. What is the justification for this?' he added.
Peka vice-president Dr Kartini Rahim also questioned the lack of action against the individual seen abusing the monkey in the video.
'The video that went viral recently shows a monkey being sprayed with paint. We don't know why the monkey was caught, what offence it committed or what its condition is now - all of this remains unknown,' she said.
Dr Kartini warned that spraying paint on animals can cause serious harm.
'The chemicals are toxic and can damage the skin, cause burns, and trigger respiratory problems.
'The act itself also induces severe stress, potentially altering the monkey's behaviour and making it more aggressive,' she said.
The now-viral incident was first highlighted in a video circulating on social media, showing a man spraying blue paint directly onto the monkey while it was confined in a cage.
Animal rights activists and the public have since called for firm action.
Last week, Sungai Buloh OCPD Supt Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor said a report was lodged at 2.10am on Saturday (May 24) by a veterinary officer from the Petaling district concerning the viral video.
The Star has reached out to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and is awaiting a response.