Residents protest move to relocate abandoned animal shelter to their village

An estimated 700 residents in Kampung Kubang Jelai, Tokai, Kedah staged a protest against the plan to evacuate about 430 street dogs and cats from abandoned animal rescue centre Pak Mie Shelter to a private warehouse in their village tomorrow.

Kampung Kubang Jelai village development and security committee chairperson Md Daud Rusdi Hassan said it was due to the majority of residents in the village being Muslims, according to a report in Harian Metro.

He added that the warehouse was near the mosque and that residents were also worried that animal waste could be washed into a nearby river that was a source of water for almost 100ha of paddy fields in the area.

"I found out that ustaz (preacher) Ebit Lew wants to rent a warehouse in this village through his Facebook account last night; we are heartbroken because the residents here can be said to be all Muslims.

"Although the warehouse is the private property of one of the villagers, the presence of dogs will definitely disturb the residents with barking and unpleasant smells," he said.

Md Daud said this after submitting a memorandum of protest to Kedah exco for health and local government Mohd Hayati Othman yesterday afternoon.

Ebit in his post on Thursday had shared his joy at being able to rent the warehouse for RM4,300 per month as he sought a place to relocate the animals from Jalan Tanjung Bendahara, Alor Setar. 

Halijah Idris, known as Mak Intan, the founder of Pak Mie Shelter, passed away at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar, Kedah, on Feb 10 due to ovarian cancer.

Pak Mie Shelter was set up with her late husband, Muhammad Azmi Ismail, in Alor Setar in 1990. Muhammad Azmi, better known as Pak Mie, passed away in 2015 due to a stroke but Mak Intan maintained it until her passing.

Ebit had said his organisation would instal sewage and water systems, isolation rooms, food venues, fans, ventilation, playgrounds and a guest lobby.

He also announced plans to have the shelter accommodate visitors.

Md Daud said he had lodged a report at the Pendang district police headquarters on Friday and efforts to contact Ebit had failed.

"The villagers will also hold a peaceful demonstration on Sunday to protest the placement of these animals," he added.

Hayati was reported as saying he would bring the matter to the state planning committee meeting so that the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) can give time for the state government to find a new place.

He said the evacuation of the animal shelter was being done to give way to the construction project for the regional sewage treatment plant and the Kota Setar sewerage pipeline network.

Malaysiakini is attempting to contact Ebit over the matter.

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