Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin expressed deep sorrow, disappointment, and anger over ongoing cruelty towards domestic pets and stray animals, especially dogs and cats, in Selangor and beyond [1, 2, 3]. Speaking as Royal Patron of the Stray Free Selangor initiative under SPCA Selangor, she said no form of animal cruelty will be accepted or tolerated under any circumstances, regardless of the perpetrator's background or status [4]. "No one is above the law," she affirmed, stressing that offenders must face appropriate investigation and legal action, including enforcement officers or government personnel found guilty [1, 2].
She urged the government to review and tighten penalties under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 to ensure stricter and consistent enforcement nationwide [4, 1, 2]. Highlighting public trust, she said it depends on professional and compassionate conduct by enforcement agencies, not on unnecessary force that causes animal suffering [3]. "The people’s trust in enforcement institutions will only be maintained when every action is carried out professionally, with integrity and full of compassion," she added [3].
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also called for stronger collaboration among government bodies, local authorities, animal welfare groups, and the public to foster a humane society where animal welfare is embedded in policy [4, 1, 3]. She emphasized education and campaigns to cultivate empathy from a young age, nurturing respect and compassion for animals [4, 2, 3]. Quoting her, "Compassion is not a sign of weakness. The ability to protect the most vulnerable is the true measure of strength, maturity and civilisation" [2].
On August 1, she first publicly voiced her sadness and outrage after multiple animal cruelty incidents went viral online [1, 2, 3]. Her statements mark a call for urgent reforms and enforcement to halt abuses and protect animals across Malaysia.
