Despite the protections offered by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 2015, enforcement and prosecution of animal cruelty cases remain minimal, according to a national animal welfare advocacy group. The AWA, which came into effect in July 2017, outlines responsibilities for pet ownership, sets care standards, and imposes penalties—including fines up to RM100,000 and imprisonment up to three years—for offences such as abuse, abandonment, and use of animals for fighting.
Execute AWA, established in 2025 to promote stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws and public awareness, reports that prosecutions under the Act are exceedingly rare. Founder Sue Ann Kong highlighted that despite the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) receiving more than 19,000 animal welfare complaints since 2021, the prosecution rate has been only 0.22%. Kong urged authorities to make full use of the existing legislation by thoroughly investigating abuse cases and ensuring offenders are penalized.
To address systemic challenges, Execute AWA launched #ProjekTogetherBoleh in November 2025, beginning in Negri Sembilan with support from local government and NGOs. The initiative seeks to create a collaborative ecosystem involving animal welfare groups, veterinarians, policymakers, enforcement bodies, and the public to develop sustainable and data-driven solutions. By mid-2026, the project expanded to Seremban with additional support from corporate partners and welfare organizations.
Among its key reform goals, the movement calls for an end to culling stray animals, promotion of trap-neuter-vaccinate-return-manage (TNVRM) programmes, and encouragement of pet adoption over commercial breeding and sales. Kong emphasized that reducing cruelty and fostering respect for animal life contribute to healthier communities and reflect broader societal values.
Execute AWA officials argue that managing the stray animal population requires long-term, strategic planning rather than short-term measures such as culling. Head of regulations and enforcement, Punita Nook Naidu, noted that in 2024 the estimated stray dog population reached around 11 million nationwide, with numbers likely rising. She warned that culling is ineffective and inhumane, citing calculations that it would require killing 200 dogs daily for 151 years to eliminate the current population. Naidu also pointed out the “vacuum effect,” where removing animals from one area leads to others migrating in if resources remain, causing the problem to recur.
Executives also underscored the success of sterilization programmes. Head of diversity, Noraseela Khalid, cited data from Execute AWA’s own model suggesting that a 70% sterilization rate could reduce stray populations by up to 94% in targeted areas. She stressed that TNVRM, when implemented consistently and collaboratively, is a humane and sustainable approach and advocated for objective, data-driven policy decisions, including adequate government funding.
Responding to concerns, the Veterinary Services Department acknowledged receiving 19,303 animal welfare complaints nationwide during 2021-2025, of which 6,512 were relevant under the AWA. The complaints were received through various channels, including an official online system. However, DVS noted that many submissions were repetitive or involved issues outside their jurisdiction, complicating enforcement efforts.
The ongoing dialogue between animal welfare advocates and authorities highlights a push for enhanced law enforcement, improved public engagement, and the adoption of humane, evidence-based strategies to address animal cruelty and stray population control across the country.