22/04/2026

WEDNESDAY | APR 22, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

4

Rising concern over national veterinary crisis

Oversight maintained on livestock diseases CYBERJAYA: Malaysia is maintaining strict surveillance over cattle health and livestock diseases, including zoonotic infections, through a structured national monitoring system and mandatory disease reporting, said the Veterinary Services Department. Its director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Haron said livestock producers are required to report a list of notifiable diseases, particularly those that spread rapidly or pose risks to human health. “We have a list of notifiable diseases that has been published and communicated to all farmers. “If any of these diseases occur, whether zoonotic or fast-spreading infections, they must be reported to the department.” He added that the department conducts annual surveillance programmes involving blood sampling and laboratory analysis to assess the country’s disease status. “Most of the diseases listed are under control, and Malaysia is generally free from many major livestock diseases.” However, he added that diseases such as tuberculosis and brucellosis in cattle remain present and are being actively monitored under structured control programmes. When infections are detected, infected animals are culled while farmers are provided compensation or financial assistance on a phased basis. “There are cases in which meat can still be consumed after proper inspection and processing, and farmers are given some form of compensation or relief.” He also acknowledged challenges in containing African Swine Fever (ASF), which has affected parts of the livestock sector. “ASF is a major issue. We were previously free from it, but due to cross-border movement and illegal imports, it has entered the country. “As a result, we manage it carefully and provide compensation gradually, depending on government capacity,” noted Mohd Noor Hisham. On imports, he added that Malaysia applies a strict risk-based assessment before allowing entry of animal products. “We conduct risk analysis on the exporting country, assess its disease status and surveillance system, and only proceed if we are satisfied.” This includes negotiations on import requirements, verification of disease-free status, and inspections of processing facilities to ensure hygiene, traceability and safety standards are met. For halal meat imports, inspections are carried out jointly with the Islamic Development Department to ensure compliance with halal certification requirements. He said these measures are essential to safeguard animal health, food safety and public confidence in Malaysia’s livestock products. – BY KIRTINEE RAMESH

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Over half of M’sian households own pets, while only about 650 registered animal clinics operate in country

and dairy cattle, which enhance productivity and animal comfort. Companies such as Farm Fresh and Fraser and Neave have adopted modified closed-house systems, in which animals are raised in controlled indoor conditions, helping them perform at levels similar to livestock in cooler, temperate countries. Mohd Noor Hisham emphasised the importance of responsible pet ownership, noting that while most owners provide adequate care, enforcement under animal welfare laws remains necessary to address neglect cases. A Veterinary Day celebration, hosted by the Veterinary Services Department, was held yesterday to honour veterinary professionals across public service, research, industry and community care. Observed on the third Saturday of April, the event highlighted the profession’s role in addressing disease outbreaks, climate change, food security and anti-microbial resistance. “Veterinarians are at the forefront of safe and nutritious food production while protecting animal welfare and public health,” he said, adding that boosting talent pipelines, adopting new technologies and enhancing public-private collaboration are key to the sector’s future. He stressed that strong veterinary services are vital to Malaysia’s food security, animal health and overall national wellbeing. He noted that once the foundation is in place, Malaysia would ensure carbon credits are measurable, verifiable and supported by reliable, high-integrity data. Arthur said this would be further supported by new legislation, including the forthcoming Climate Change Bill, which would strengthen enforcement of the policy. He also outlined plans for a national carbon registry to centralise emissions data. “With the carbon registry in place, we would have a comprehensive database of national emissions: how they are measured, priced and eventually traded internationally,” he said, adding that this forms the backbone of Malaysia’s long-term carbon market architecture. Beyond the emissions peak, the government is targeting a reduction of between 15 and 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035, alongside a long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. “This is a significant milestone for a developing economy that is closely tied to energy-intensive sectors.” Arthur linked climate action to broader ecological risks, highlighting that environmental degradation is weakening nature’s ability to absorb carbon. He urged collective urgency and action. “When we protect our forests, we are not just saving Malaysia, we are also helping sustain the world’s ability to breathe.”

CYBERJAYA: Malaysia is facing a deepening veterinary crisis, with a shortage of nearly 6,000 professionals nationwide – a gap that is straining animal healthcare services and raising concerns over food safety and disease control. Veterinary Services Department director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Haron said nearly 40 posts are unfilled in the department, underscoring a structural problem that goes beyond recruitment. “Even if we manage to fill about 80% of positions, there are still gaps. The main challenge is the number of veterinary doctors being produced.” He said Malaysia produces between 180 and 220 veterinary graduates annually, mainly from Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. However, many are absorbed into the private sector, where starting salaries of RM5,000 and above, alongside more attractive benefits, are widely offered. “In the past, pensions and government healthcare benefits were key attractions. Today, private companies offer better overall packages even without pensions.” The shift towards contract-based appointments in the public sector has also weakened interest among new graduates, despite assurances that PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has moved to strengthen its climate ambition and introduce carbon pricing with the launch of the National Carbon Market Policy (NCMP). Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the country can no longer treat climate risks as distant threats, adding that the world is edging towards irreversible tipping points. He said the policy, approved by the Cabinet earlier this month, is designed to ensure every tonne of carbon reduced or traded is backed by integrity and trust, positioning Malaysia as a credible participant in the international carbon market. Arthur noted that climate impacts are being felt globally, from extreme weather events to shifting environmental patterns. “We are facing a triple planetary crisis: climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. “Across the globe, we are witnessing unprecedented heatwaves, extreme rainfall, prolonged droughts Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com New policy to boost climate ambition

by the Malaysian Veterinary Council in collaboration with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. “However, expansion must not come at the expense of quality. “Veterinary training requires proper facilities, such as teaching hospitals and farms. Institutions must meet strict criteria before producing graduates.” The department is also exploring partnerships with private universities to establish practical training centres, including veterinary hospitals, clinics and farms, to strengthen hands-on exposure for students. He added that discussions are ongoing with the Public Service Department and the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to enhance incentives for veterinary officers, including possible allowances, in an effort to improve retention in the public sector. On animal welfare and farming practices, he said modern systems are increasingly being adopted to improve care, particularly amid rising temperatures. These include environmentally controlled housing for poultry, pigs

permanent positions may follow after a year of service. Malaysia has about 2,600 active veterinarians, which is far below the estimated 8,500 needed to meet national demand, leaving a shortfall of nearly 6,000 professionals. This translates to roughly one veterinarian for every 13,700 people, significantly below the recommended international ratio of one for every 5,000. At the same time, demand for veterinary services is rising sharply. More than half of Malaysian households now own pets, while only about 650 registered veterinary clinics operate nationwide. The livestock and export sectors also depend heavily on veterinary oversight to meet food safety and international trade standards. Mohd Noor Hisham added that efforts are under way to address the shortage, including expanding academic capacity. He said Management and Science University has launched the Doctor of Veterinary programme, although its first cohort has yet to graduate. “The programme was approved

Arthur (centre) attending the Climate Change and Sustainability Conference yesterday. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

and rising sea levels. “This challenge does not spare any nation, and Malaysia is no exception,” he said at the Climate Change and Sustainability Conference yesterday. He said the NCMP lays the foundation for Malaysia’s carbon pricing system, including future mechanisms such as carbon trading and a potential carbon tax. Arthur also said Malaysia’s climate pathway is anchored in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, with emissions projected to peak between 2029 and 2034, and an aspiration to peak as early as 2029,

subject to enabling conditions and international support. He added that the government is considering introducing a carbon tax, as announced by the prime minister in this year’s budget, although implementation has been delayed due to geopolitical challenges. He stressed that the system must be implemented in stages to guarantee fairness and credibility across industries. “Before any penalty or levy is introduced, we need to establish a proper carbon credit framework to ensure industries are not treated unfairly,” he said.