Wildlife Rights NGO and Resident Appeal Dismissal of Lawsuit Against Government Agency Over Alleged Culling of Dusky Leaf Monkeys
A wildlife rights NGO and a resident of a neighborhood in Port Dickson are appealing the dismissal by the Seremban High Court of their lawsuit against a government agency over the alleged culling of dusky leaf monkeys in 2021.
Background
Hak Asasi Hidupan Liar Malaysia (Hidup) and Nurul Azreen Sultan, a resident of Taman Raja Zainal where the culling allegedly occurred, filed the notice of appeal at the appellate court in Putrajaya on November 26, stating their disappointment with the October 30 ruling by the High Court judge, Hamdan Abdul Aziz.
Court Ruling
Hamdan had dismissed the suit and awarded costs of RM10,000 to the wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan).
Plaintiffs’ Concerns
The plaintiffs believe that the "murder of the dusky leaf monkeys was completely illegal" and that Perhilitan had violated the Wildlife Conservation Act, which deals with the wilful causing of unnecessary suffering, pain or discomfort to wildlife.
"We want justice for the murdered monkeys," said Rajesh Nagarajan, the plaintiffs’ counsel.
Background to the Case
Hidup and Azreen sued Perhilitan in 2021, naming the department’s director-general as well as the energy and natural resources minister as defendants. Perhilitan previously denied culling 20 monkeys, saying it had only killed seven which were aggressive and had frequently disturbed residents in the area.
Perhilitan’s Defense
Perhilitan claimed that its officials were forced to kill the monkeys after attempts to capture the animals were unsuccessful.
Next Steps
The appeal is a significant step in the ongoing battle for justice for the dusky leaf monkeys. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether the allegations of illegal culling will be further investigated and potentially punished.
Conclusion
The case highlights the importance of upholding the law and ensuring that those responsible for the welfare of wildlife are held accountable. The appeal is a testament to the determination of the plaintiffs in seeking justice for the alleged victims of the culling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the appeal?
A: The appeal is to challenge the dismissal of the lawsuit and to seek justice for the alleged victims of the culling.
Q: Who are the plaintiffs in the case?
A: Hak Asasi Hidupan Liar Malaysia (Hidup) and Nurul Azreen Sultan, a resident of Taman Raja Zainal.
Q: What is the background to the case?
A: The case involves the alleged culling of dusky leaf monkeys in 2021 by Perhilitan, a government agency responsible for the conservation of wildlife.
Q: What is the current status of the case?
A: The case is currently on appeal, with a hearing scheduled to take place at the appellate court in Putrajaya.