16/06/2025

MONDAY | JUNE 16, 2025

FOLLOW

ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper

4

@thesundaily

Public urged to have domestic pets microchipped

Sarawak premier urges stronger collaboration

with commerce group KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg has called on the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sarawak (ACCCIS) to strengthen collaboration with the state government to help accelerate economic growth. Speaking at its 60th anniversary gala dinner yesterday, he said the government remained committed to facilitating business initiatives and encouraged the chamber to engage with potential investors. “The door is wide open for ACCCIS to collaborate with investors. If they want to manufacture and need energy, and if you’re competitive and have sustainable energy, people will bring their money here. In fact, people are always knocking on our door. So, I hope we can work together,” he said. Abang Johari added that Sarawak’s current economic policy leverages its advantage in sustainable energy not only for export purposes, but also as a key incentive for industrial investment. He also commended ACCCIS for its six decades of contribution to Sarawak’s economic development and acknowledged its long-standing partnership with the government since 1965. Reflecting on the transformation of Sarawak’s economy, he said the state had moved beyond its historical dependence on timber, which had led to widespread deforestation in earlier years. He credited the resilience and foresight of the business community, including ACCCIS, for playing a role in diversifying the state’s economic activities. “The business community has shown great resilience and foresight. You have looked ahead and diversified your activities as time went on,” he said. Also present at the event were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and ACCCIS president Kong Chiong Ung. – Bernama KOTA TINGGI: Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Felda Air Tawar 1 has been selected to receive a RM100,000 allocation under the Madani Adopted School programme, implemented by the Civil Defence Force (CDF). Its chief commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed said the funds will be used to upgrade the school’s basic facilities, enhance student character development and position the school as a hub for the rural education community. “The selection of this school recognises its outstanding ability to nurture student potential, despite being located in a Felda settlement,” he told Bernama after officiating at the school’s Parent-Teacher Association annual general meeting. He added that the school’s achievements across various fields proved that rural schools are capable of excelling and deserve wider support, including from alumni and the private sector. SK Felda Air Tawar 1 has previously earned several accolades, including third place at the International Silat Competition in Batam, Indonesia, a gold medal at the National Taekwondo Championship and first place in the Johor Low Carbon competition. – Bernama School in Kota Tinggi receives RM100,000

o Move seen as sign of responsible ownership, in addition to supporting efforts to manage animal welfare in communities

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Veterinary Services Department (VSD) is calling on pet owners to microchip their animals, describing it as a vital step in addressing the stray population and protecting domestic pets. As of May, over 25,800 pets have been microchipped nationwide. Under Malaysian law, all pets – specifically dogs and cats – must be identified and registered. VSD confirmed that microchipping remains the standard method, with every registered pet issued an Animal Identification Card under the Animal Passport System. “Microchipping is more than a safety measure; it’s a sign of responsible ownership,” said VSD veterinary officer Dr Salina Amad Bugis. “It helps reunite lost pets with their families and supports broader efforts to manage animal welfare in our communities.” While any registered veterinarian can carry out the procedure, only VSD officers and authorised vets are permitted to issue the official ID card. The procedure is quick, minimally invasive and carries rare health risks. To increase accessibility, VSD regularly offers subsidised microchipping programmes during national events such as World Rabies Day, World Veterinary Day and the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show as well as state-level initiatives. In May, Malacca VSD conducted an outreach campaign in Sungai Udang, offering rabies awareness and microchipping services for household pets. VSD is also working with certified clinics to provide microchipping during regular vet visits,

The department is also working with certified clinics to provide microchipping during regular vet visits, aiming to simplify registration for pet owners. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

personally rescued dogs with microchips only to find their data missing from any registry,” he said. Mukunnan noted that not all shelters or adoption centres microchip the animals they release, which can lead to abandonment cases in which owners deny responsibility. “Too often, when pets are dumped, there’s no way to trace the owner. The law can’t act if there’s no evidence,” he said, pointing to Section 29(1)(d) of the Animal Welfare Act, which makes abandonment a punishable offence. To date, no one has been charged under the clause due to the lack of traceable records. Mukunnan called for a unified national registration system, better enforcement and clearer legal frameworks. “Microchipping should be mandatory, not optional. Every shelter, rescue group and pet owner has a role to play in proper registration,” he said. He urged government agencies, local councils and NGOs to collaborate in building a more structured and enforceable microchipping system.

aiming to simplify registration for pet owners. “Although microchipping alone won’t eliminate the stray issue, it is a key part of a broader strategy involving vaccination, education and animal control,” Salina said. Globally and locally, microchipping has proven effective in reducing lost pet cases and improving reunification rates. “As responsible pet owners, it is our duty to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our animals,” she added. “Get your pet microchipped and registered at your nearest VSD office or authorised veterinary clinic. Together, we can build a more compassionate and accountable pet-owning community.” Meanwhile, an animal welfare advocate warned that gaps in enforcement and registration are limiting the effectiveness of the system. Malaysian Animal Welfare Association president Mukunnan Sugumaran described microchipping as essential yet underutilised due to a lack of central oversight. “Microchipping is a simple, safe procedure that costs about RM100 and should be seen as part of responsible pet ownership. But I’ve

PwD jobseekers among 183 hired at Perak career carnival LUMUT: Two persons with disabilities (PwD) were among 183 jobseekers who secured employment during the MYFutureJobs Career Carnival held in conjunction with the Perak Madani Rakyat (PMR) programme at the Lumut Waterfront. Among the top employers offering the highest number of vacancies were Malayan Flour Mills Sdn Bhd, Malakoff Corporation Berhad, YTY Industry Sdn Bhd, Lagenda Properties Berhad and KPJ Seri Manjung Specialist Hospital. Universiti Malaysia Perlis engineering graduate Muhammad Harun Hafiz Shaarani, 25, said the career carnival had been a valuable opportunity in his search for employment.

Having completed his degree in electrical engineering last year, he attended interview sessions with participating companies on the final day of PMR. “There are actually plenty of job opportunities in Malaysia. We just need to actively seek them out. “I think the idea that there are no jobs is inaccurate. Perhaps students should be more strategic in choosing courses that align with the country’s workforce needs,” he said. Perak is the second state to host the large-scale PMR initiative, organised through a strategic collaboration between the Prime Minister’s Department Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit, which serves as the main secretariat, and the Higher Education Ministry as the lead ministry. – Bernama

Mageswari said a wide range of job categories were offered on the third day, including roles in operations, manufacturing, professional sectors and services, particularly in delivery. She added that the scope of job applicants had expanded beyond graduates and career switchers to also include persons with disabilities and individuals aged 50 and above. “Through MYFutureJobs, we’ve implemented nationwide initiatives and brought job-matching programmes to rural and remote communities. “We urge the public to seize these opportunities. Now, it’s up to them to secure the positions on offer,” she said.

Teluk Intan Social Security Organisation branch manager S. Mageswari said the three day event offered a total of 1,793 job opportunities across various industries and employment sectors nationwide. “Over the past two days, the response has been very encouraging, with many jobseekers turning up for interviews. “For PMR 2025, we engaged 14 employers offering job placements,” she said yesterday. On Friday and Saturday, 318 candidates attended interviews, of which 183 successfully landed jobs. Another 43 candidates have been shortlisted for second interviews at the respective premises of employers.