A revision of the Animal Welfare Bill, which includes suggestions from the public, would be subjected to public scrutiny next month.

In a press release today, MCA young professionals bureau chairperson Chua Tee Yong thanked the public for providing feedback.

He said that a website to solicit suggestions had garnered 5,094 hits and 2,421 comments within a 14-day period.

“Public feedback has been very positive, with 90.9 percent expressing overwhelming support for the proposals in the bill,” he said.

NONE Chua ( left ) said that as the Labis parliamentarian, he should be “relentlessly scrupulous” in ensuring that the bill fully addressed public concerns and suggestions.

“Therefore, I highly encourage people to continue providing their responses online, so that, together, we can put an end to all the mistreatment of animals in Malaysia,” he said.

Thus far, laws concerning animal abuse are governed under the Animal Act 1953 which stipulates a RM200 maximum fine for pet abuse.

Chua said he is proposing that the amount be increased to RM50,000 and include a one-year jail term.

“Instead of being too busy politicking and quibbling amongst elites, MCA has been listening to the concerns of the average citizen.

“Proper legislation that deals with the unethical treatment of animals has been long overdue.

“So as a party, MCA has taken the responsibility of the taking the necessary first step towards a brighter, more animal-rights conscious future in Malaysia,” he said.

There has been public outrage over the lenient fines stipulated in the Animal Welfare Act following the conviction of two owners of a pet hotel company.

The duo were penalised RM6,000 - RM200 for each of the 30 cases of neglecting pets left in their care during the Aidilfitri holidays last year.