Latest news with #Voo
Borneo Post
22-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Sandakan dog shelter at breaking point
Voo tending to the dogs at SPCA Sandakan. SANDAKAN (May 22): The Sandakan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA Sandakan) is in urgent need of funding to continue caring for more than 800 dogs currently under its care. SPCA Sandakan secretary Gin Voo said that the shelter is facing an unprecedented crisis as its shelter reaches breaking point with over 800 dogs in desperate need of care. She added that the non-profit organisation, which operates solely on public donations, has also launched an ambitious 12-month sterilisation programme and urgently appealing for financial and material assistance. SPCA Sandakan was founded in 2012, and served as a refuge for stray and abandoned dogs, stepping in to provide humane care after the local council ended its controversial shoot-to-kill policy. However, the shelter's capacity has been pushed to the limit — what was once a manageable population of 350 dogs has now exploded to 828, with new arrivals coming in daily, she said. She added that the crisis stems from uncontrolled breeding due to irresponsible pet ownership, mass abandonment of unwanted litters, continued capture of strays by the municipal council, and the lack of government funding for sterilisation programs 'Despite taking on the enormous responsibility of housing Sandakan's stray population, SPCA Sandakan receives only RM5,000 per year from the local council — a sum that covers less than four days of operations,' she said. SPCA Sandakan's monthly expenses of around RM40,000 includes medical care for injured and sick rescued dogs, food and shelter for the over 800 dogs, salaries of seven employees, as well as purchases of utilities and for maintenance. 'We're drowning in costs while saving lives,' said Voo. 'Our RM5,000 annual grant disappears in four days. Without help, we cannot continue.' Voo said SPCA Sandakan opines that sterilisation is the only ethical and effective way to control the stray population. 'Killing strays is not the solution — it's cruel and doesn't address the root cause,' she said. 'Mass sterilisation breaks the endless breeding cycle humanely. For every female dog we spay, we prevent hundreds of unwanted puppies from suffering on the streets.' She added that the shelter's critical mass sterilisation programme aims to sterilize 100 dogs per month (1,200 in 12 months). She said that the cost per surgery is RM180 and that they need RM216,000 to undertake the programme. Voo reminded that they operate with zero government support and 100 percent community-funded. Aside for the cost to run the mass sterilisation programme, Voo said that their shelter also needs materials to create a recovery facility consisting of 50 recovery cages (for post-op care), three heavy duty canponies (for shaded recovery space), wire mesh fencing (to secure the area), 400 gallon water tanks and piping system (for hygiene) and construction labour cost to construct the facility. Voo also urged the community to neuter their pets and not contribute to the overpopulation and to consider adopting a dog as well as support their sterilisation programme. 'Every adoption creates space to save another life,' she said. She also said that a RM180 donated funds one life saving sterilisation, RM1,800 covers 10 dogs, and RM5,000 supports a month's medical supplies. 'Aside from that, we also welcome donation in the form of cage materials (metal), weatherproof canopies, galvanised wire mesh, water storage tanks, plumbing supplies and skilled labour volunteers,' she said. Corporates and business entities are also welcome to sponsor construction materials and hardware, medical equipment and adopt monthly funding pledges, she said. 'The stakes have never been higher. Without immediate help, the shelter population will exceed 1,000 dogs by the end of the year and raise the likelihood of disease outbreaks resulting from overcrowding. We also risk becoming bankrupt,' she said. 'This is Sandakan's last hope to humanely solve the stray crisis,' said Voo. 'We're not just asking for money — we need hands-on help. If you can donate materials or labour, you're building a future for these animals. Together, we can make Sandakan a model for compassionate stray management.' To donate, please contact 0168319119 for further information or bank in to: Maybank 560166133482 (SPCA Sandakan).
Daily Express
07-05-2025
- Daily Express
Businessman's acquittal upheld
Published on: Wednesday, May 07, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 07, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Voo (right) with his counsel Ram (centre) and Prem outside the courtroom. Kota Kinabalu: The High Court affirmed the acquittal of a 44-year-old man charged with misappropriating property. Judge Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng dismissed the prosecution's appeal against the Magistrate's Court's decision to discharge and acquit Voo Li Kiam of the charge without his defence being called. The Court, in its decision via Zoom, affirmed the lower court's decision. Voo, a businessman, was on Aug 22, 2023 freed of the charge at the end of the prosecution's stage. The charge alleged that Voo fraudulently misused or appropriated for his own use RM41,515 in cash collections belonging to KS Filter Sdn Bhd, between Dec 8, 2018 and Jan 26, 2019, at the company's premises in Inanam. The charge under Section 403 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of between six months and five years, whipping and liability of a fine, on conviction. Voo was represented by counsel Datuk Ram Singh and Prem Elmer Ganasan. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man was charged with having access to someone else's bank card without permission. Aqasya Zulfiekri, who appeared before Magistrate Dzul Elmy Yunus via Zoom, allegedly had someone else's payment instrument, namely an ATM GX Bank card belonging to Nursafella Wahid, without lawful authority. Aqasya allegedly committed the offence on May 2, this year, at 2.35pm, at a restaurant near here. No plea was taken from the accused, who is charged under Section 424A of the Penal Code. Dzul fixed May 13 for mention and released the accused on a bail of RM1,200 in one surety. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sales executive's acquittal from misappropriating charge affirmed
Voo (right) with his counsel Ram after the appeal proceedings on Tuesday. KOTA KINABALU (May 6): A High Court here on Tuesday affirmed a sales executive's acquittal from a charge of using RM41,515 cash collection belonging to a company for his own use. Justice Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng upheld a lower court's verdict made on Voo Li Kiam, 44, who was charged under Section 403 of the Penal Code. The charge carries a jail term of up to five years and whipping and also liable to a fine, upon conviction. Voo was accused of misappropriating the money at a company in Inanam between December 8, 2018 and January 26, 2019. On August 22, 2023, a Magistrate's Court here freed Voo from the charge without calling for his defence after the magistrate ruled that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against him. Voo was represented by counsel Datuk Ram Singh.
