In 2005 when Sheena the German Shepherd dog was left to die by her owner, the punishment he received was a mere slap on the wrist.

That traumatic incident sparked calls for the Animal Ordinance to be revamped but little interest was shown by the federal government to put in place severe penalty for those who abused their pets.

NONE Recently, news was that a tiger was ‘mishandled' for cheap publicity stunts by A ‘Famosa Animal World Safari.

And again there was no concern from the federal government, confirming the worst that the government has only one agenda in mind - to win elections and for the politicians to keep their wallets full 24/7.

Animal care is far from their hearts as there is little to profit from them unless it involves trafficking of wildlife animals.

Just like the A ‘Famosa management which is all for money and has no concern and respect for animals, the federal government too does not find it ‘worthwhile' to rebuke the A ‘Famosa management and ensure such cruelty never repeats itself.

The news of animal abuse by A ‘Famosa was exposed by a two-minute video clip showing the handler inviting visitors to take photographs with the tiger while he tries hard to force the apparently drowsy tiger to sit up.

The handler even knees it in the head to get it to pose. It is pathetic that A ‘Famosa Animal World Safari will do anything to keep its business afloat, stooping as low as ill-treating animals to fill up the resort's coffers.

Such desperation for profit is sickening!

Greed versus compassion - greed was the agenda for A ‘Famosa. If it was not greed, how will the A ‘Famosa management explain the directive by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks for it to stop photography sessions with the tiger.

This was conveyed to the resort during a meeting with the management in April based on complaints received from the public.

This was revealed by Yamuna Perimalu in a letter to malaysiakini "resort was told to halt tiger photo sessions".

Yamuna was representing the secretary-general of the National Resources and Environment Ministry.

Yamuna's letter however leaves some questions that beg honest answers - the meeting by the Department was held with the A ‘Famosa resort management in April based on complaints from the public.

If it was truly urgent as Yamuna is trying to hint, why did the Department of Wildlife and National Parks not summon the resort management immediately to stop all abuse of tigers in its care.Why wait until April?

Did the Department after the meeting in April make surprise checks at the resort to determine if the resort management was adhering to the warning issued?

Looks like the National Resources and Environment Minister was busy playing politics to even look into animal welfare and make a statement, conveniently passing this case to the secretary-general to issue lip service to appease the public outcry. The letter was nothing but a typical public relations exercise from the Ministry.

Using animals for money

No effort must be spared in taking A ‘Famosa general manager Allan Chee and another representative Eric Ong to task. In denying the abuse, Chee said the tiger "was just drowsy and lazy after being fed" and was being prodded to get into position. Chee's remark reveals how cruelty is evident at the resort.

If the tiger was ‘drowsy' after a meal, why force it to pose for photographs? Indeed, human greed knows no bounds.

While Ong said the tiger was simply "lazy" and that it was in the tiger's "nature" to behave inertly. Ong also denied any possibility that the tiger was sedated.

Do animals always become drowsy after being fed? Was the tiger ill? Would Chee and Ong after a meal pose for a string of photo sessions? If they will not, how can these two men even think of getting an animal to do so?

ng yen yen One can only wonder how long this abuse has been going on.

This incident has shown that the A ‘Famosa Animal World Safari is only out to make money ‘using' animals. It is not an animal-friendly entity which allows animal and human interaction in a humane manner.

It is heartbreaking that Malaysia is ground for wildlife trafficking, animal abuse and heartless greed. And all these is happening with the country's leadership showing no interest in the issue of animal conservation.

How many cries have reverberated from time to time when animals are abused and left to die by humans, who supposedly are one-notch better because of our thinking ability.

Each time an animal is abused, be it a cat or dog or a wildlife like the tiger, the country's leadership becomes paralysed and shows no reaction. Or the country's top leaders finds the animal issues of no concern to respond.

Even Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen (above right) showed no compassion in this issue. Perhaps promoting branded shoes is far more interesting to her than reaching out and helping save animals from being abused.

If Najib's tooting of "people first" has any truth to it, why is he quiet whenever an issue of animal abuse is raised by animal activists?

If he has no love and compassion for animals like his counterpart, American president Barack Obama does, then Najib better start grooming the generation of today into becoming animal lovers, people who love, care and respect animals.

Enough is enough!

Will Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin take the lead by lending support in stopping animal abuse in this country? Does he have pets? If yes, why is he indifferent towards animal abuse in Malaysia? Can he not put all protocols aside and speak as a compassionate human being.

NONE Just like Najib, even his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin (left) a.k.a. ‘I-am-Malay-first' showed no interest in this issue of abuse by the A ‘Famosa Animal World Safari management. Is compassion not the cornerstone of what Islam is all about?

Must animals be labelled according to race and religion for them to be saved?

Do none of the Cabinet members have pets? Having pets teaches us love and compassion. Maybe that is why our politicians and ministers are nothing but ruthless people because they have yet to learn about compassion.

It is shameful that tongues of politicians are not wagging in trying to stop abuse against animals.

But mud-slinging, money politics and dirty tactics in securing contracts and winning state or federal seats is an anytime topic for Malaysia's politicians.

They care two hoots that an animal was starved to death by its owner or left to die under inhumane conditions.

Indeed, Malaysia's political scene attracts only those with third-class mentality as has been proven by the past and present politicians.

To take advantage of an animal who is at our mercy is the greatest sin human beings make. It is good to see the show of support from animal lovers in censuring the A ‘Famosa Animal World Safari.

This incident should be a lesson to all resort and zoo operators because while Malaysia is a democratic nation, the right to life does not only belong to human beings, it is also the right of the animals to live in a safe environment.

To the ‘powers that be', challenge this democracy at your own risk.

Don't push it, Ali Rustam

The state of Malacca has also earned a bad name because of intellectually-challenged chief ministers like Ali Rustam who is going all out to defend the establishment of a multi-million ringgit biotechnology centre that will feature animal testing laboratories.

A follower instead of a leader, Ali Rustam said it was not wrong for Malaysia to have such a facility as the rest of the world was doing the same.

Claiming that in Islam God made animals for food and for the use of man, Ali Rustam said it was the fate of the animals to suffer and undergo testing at laboratories.

Should I conclude that Ali Rustam is ignorant about his own religion or is yet another greedy politician waiting to fill his pocket with the money the centre will bring him?

batu talam nominations 170107 ali rustam If Islam is all about cruelty to animals as Ali Rustam (right) is portraying it to be, I am glad I am not a Muslim because I believe animals too have rights.

In April, the Malay Mail reported that the laboratories would be set up by Vivo BioTech (M) Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between India's Vivo BioTech Ltd and Vanguard Creative Technologies Sdn Bhd in Rembia, Alor Gajah.

The company will import beagles from Holland for use in their canine laboratory while white mice would be used in the small animals laboratories and if allowed, primates would be sources locally.

The project received immediate rebuke from international animal rights but that has failed to develop any compassion in Ali Rustam who instead branded the animal activists as "day dreamers" and out of sync with reality.

Insulting all sense of intelligence, Ali Rustam said if the tests were not conducted on monkeys it would be impossible to determine if the drugs were safe for human use.

He challenged the activists to volunteer themselves as test subjects if they objected to drug testing on animals, saying that he was certain the activists would not want to.

With all arrogance, Ali Rustam said if the world is against animal testing, then it should get the United Nations to make a decision.

"Get the UN to say ‘no' to monkey testing on earth, do it on the moon. It will become a crazy world," Ali Rustam had said.

Is BN worth our vote?

Looks like the last general election shock was not enough for Barisan Nasional. Maybe the rakyat must repeat their ‘act of no faith' in BN in the coming general election if state leaders like Ali Rustam will be a recurring feature in the face of state or federal politics.

Ali Rustam obviously has no respect for animals nor does he understand the meaning of democracy. For him, animals' fate is decided, either they end up on the dining table or in laboratories as test subjects.

It is very unfortunate that such a shallow-character politician is leading the historically-rich city of Malacca.

raja nazrin shah It is shameful that as a Muslim Ali Rustam has failed to show any compassion towards animals? Maybe the religious department can put their existence to good use by educating the likes of Ali Rustam into becoming compassionate human being instead of thriving at playing peeping toms.

The fate of animals is not to end up under an experiment knife or in a laboratory cage so that human beings can make a fortune out of their suffering.

This Ali Rustam better realise before the next general election makes it way, where the rakyat's vote will be the ultimate test of BN's survival.

The regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah (left) who is vocal on local issues is silent on the animal testing facility that will take shape in Malacca.

Also quiet is Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen, And surprisingly, ‘Mr Know it All', the former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and ‘Madam Know it All', Rosmah Mansor who is wife of prime minister Najib are just as disinterested in championing animal rights. Why?

Obama and family are animal lovers but in Malaysia no leaders have proved that they have any love for animals and maybe that is why they failed to groom their children to love and respect animals.

It is not too late for Najib and his team of uninspiring politicians to learn a thing or two about loving animals from Obama's little girl Malia.

JESWAN KAUR is a journalist who spent many years writing for the mainstream media before deciding to 'break free' and put pen to paper to focus on and fight for issues that are conveniently marginalised by the powers-that-be.