Xavier Jayakumar instructs Perhilitan to look into monkey shooting case

KUALA LUMPUR: The Wildlife and National Park Protection Department (Perhilitan) has been directed to investigate the case where an 18-year-old man allegedly shot and killed a caged monkey in Sitiawan.

"Investigations by the police have been completed and they have submitted their papers to the Attorney-General.

"I have also instructed Perhilitan to look at the case and see what enactments they can take action under," said

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said at the launch of the Water Asset Revenue Management System for Smart Water Grid Networks here on Monday (May 27).

Dr Xavier said that he had seen the video of the incident.

"It is most unpleasant to see such treatment of a wild animal. Let us see what the AG says as he will have to read the report first," he said.

Dr Xavier did not discount the possibility of Perhilitan taking action under Section 30 of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 for using a firearm to kill an animal without authority or justification.

The offence carries a fine of not less than RM20,000 and not more than RM100,000, imprisonment for a term not more than three years or both upon conviction.

He was asked to comment on recent case where a teenager recorded himself shooting the caged monkey.

The video went viral, sparking outrage among animal lovers.

The teenager was detained along with his 54-year-old father by the police at their residence in Taman Kenangan, Sitiawan at 9.20pm Wednesday (May 22).

He was remanded with his father till May 26 (Sunday) and had admitted shooting the monkey for fun using his father's handgun.

During the arrest, police also seized a black Glock .42 automatic pistol, a gun holster, 12 bullets and a firearm permit.

Police investigations were carried out under Section 39 of the Firearms Act 1960 and Section 428 of the Penal Code.