The initiative was organised by the Global Human Rights Federation in collaboration with Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) and the Malaysian Animal Welfare Association.

SAFM president Kalaivanan Ravichandran told FMT the memorandum was received by deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kula Segaran and several others, including Bera MP and former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Kampar MP Chong Zhemin.

“It is time to stop the inhumane treatment and ensure accountability in how stray animals are managed in our communities,” Kalaivanan said.

The memorandum lists eight key demands, including for the government to set up a body under the Prime Minister’s Department to monitor, enforce and support human practices in animal welfare nationwide.

This body would oversee the local authorities’ compliance with humane practices and address cases of animal cruelty.

The other demands include reforms to the Animal Welfare Act 2015 to prohibit cruel treatment of strays and harsh capture techniques, mandate a national trap-neuter-return programme, and strict regulation of animal breeders.

The groups also want animal pounds operated by local authorities to be transformed into no-kill facilities to ensure that rehabilitation and adoptions can take place.

The memorandum was initiated following the culling of a stray dog named Kopi in Terengganu.

Last month, 13 NGOs demanded action by the veterinary services department against municipal officers who kill stray dogs, after Kopi’s case went viral on social media.

The NGOs claimed that municipal officers tasked with managing the stray population often resort to inhumane practices, including beating the dogs with iron rods and dragging them by the neck.

The department said it will review the memorandum it received from the 13 NGOs and that it will also provide updates on its investigation being carried out under the Animal Welfare Act.