JUNE 1

JUNE 1, 2003
Malaysia
Johor tightens checks on cats from S'pore

JOHOR BARU - Johor will step up its checks on cats being brought in from Singapore at the Causeway and Second Link.

The move followed a reported plan by animal lovers in the Republic to rescue some 2,000 cats after Singapore's Agri-food and Veterinary Authority intensified the culling of strays since May 25. The exercise involved stray cats found near foodcourts.

The move had angered animal lovers, who said they would mount a campaign to save the cats by rounding them up and sending them to Noah's Ark, a privately run animal shelter in Gelang Patah, Johor.

The Veterinary Services Department in Johor Baru has said it would not approve any application for the import of strays.

Johor state Customs director Sarmin Hussin said his department would be stringent in ensuring that no stray cats enter the country without prior approval from veterinary services.

Meanwhile, commenting on the issue, Johor Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman said that Johor is not a dumping ground for stray cats from Singapore. -- The Star/Asia News Network, New Straits Times