Cross-examined by Rajesh Nagarajan, counsel for the plaintiffs, over some confusion between the dusky leaf monkey and the silvered leaf monkey, Jamilah Sharif said she had claimed in her witness statement that she was attacked by a dusky leaf monkey.

However, in a report filed with Perhilitan, she said she was attacked by a “lotong kelabu” or silvered leaf monkey in 2021. Subsequently, Perhilitan shot dead over 20 adult and baby dusky leaf monkeys.

Rajesh is representing wildlife rights NGO Hak Asasi Hidupan Liar Malaysia (Hidup), which, along with Nurul Azreen Sultan, a resident at Taman Raja Zainal where the culling occurred, are suing three Perhilitan personnel.

Rajesh: Do you agree that you were attacked by a silvered leaf monkey?

Jamilah: Yes, a silvered leaf monkey had attacked (me).

Rajesh: Do you agree that in the witness statement, when you said you were attacked by a dusky leaf monkey, it was an afterthought?

Jamilah: Yes.

Rajesh: “Are you aware of the species called the silvered leaf monkey?”

Jamilah: “Yes.”

Apart from the Perhilitan personnel, Hidup and Azreen also named the department’s director-general as well as the energy and natural resources minister as defendants.

The plaintiffs contend that the department’s role is to protect wildlife and that the endangered animals should not have been culled.

Perhilitan, they claimed, had violated Section 86 (1)(f) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which dealt with wilfully causing any unnecessary suffering, pain or discomfort to any wildlife.

Perhilitan had previously denied culling 20 monkeys, saying it had only killed seven monkeys which were aggressive and had frequently disturbed residents in the area.

It said the culling only took place after attempts to capture the animals were unsuccessful.