Latest news with #PenangHillCorporation
Free Malaysia Today
16-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang NGO offers RM20,000 to catch killers of strays
Some of the dogs and birds found dead on Penang Hill over the last weekend. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : An animal welfare group is offering a RM20,000 reward for information leading to the arrests and prosecution of anyone involved in harming or killing stray cats, dogs and wildlife in Penang. The information must be 'direct and verifiable', the International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals Penang (IAPWA) said. 'This reward applies to real evidence only, not reposted or viral content, and there is no deadline. Whether the abuse happened recently, including cases at Penang Hill, or in the past, we want to hear from you,' the group said. The offer comes after Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) lodged a police report on Sunday over the discovery of several dead animals, believed to have been poisoned, at various locations on the hill. PHC general manager Cheok Lay Leng said the carcasses of seven dogs, three cats and five birds were found over the past few days in open areas and spotted by the public. 'We suspect the main targets are the stray dogs. There have been claims by hikers and visitors in recent weeks that they had been bitten by strays,' he told FMT. Penang veterinary services department director Dr Saira Banu Rejab said the department is investigating the deaths, having collected samples from the carcasses for analysis and to determine the cause of death. The deaths are believed to have occurred on July 5. Those with information on the case can contact the Penang Island City Council at 04-263-7000 or 04-263-7637, or send a message via WhatsApp at 016-200-4082, or get in touch with IAPWA via email at [email protected], and by WhatsApp at 010-388-3487.
Malay Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Penang Hill Festival to showcase more than biosphere, includes cultural heritage and music
GEORGE TOWN, July 15 — Penang Hill will celebrate the sixth edition of its Penang Hill Festival (PHF2025) this weekend, highlighting not only its biodiversity but also its rich cultural heritage. According to Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng, the three-day festival is expected to attract more than 25,000 visitors. 'The crowd will be spread out over three days of activities that focus on creating awareness and education on the biosphere reserve, Penang Hill's cultural heritage and it will culminate with Music on The Hill at the Bellevue Hotel,' he said. He said the Music on The Hill event, themed East Meets West, will feature performances by local and outstation groups. 'There are programmes for students, families and individuals with interests in learning more about nature and Penang Hill,' he said. 'Penang Hill is not only about nature. There are also cultural elements — we have a Hindu temple and a mosque on top of the hill, and a Chinese temple accessible from the middle station,' he said when contacted today. The Penang Hill Festival will culminate with a Music on the Hill which will be held at Bellevue Hotel this year. Cheok said visitors can also explore the Crag Heritage Trail to learn more about The Crag, a property built in the mid-19th century as a sanitarium before being converted into a hotel and later a boarding school. The Crag was also a filming location for the 1992 movie Indochine and the British television series Indian Summers in 2014. There will also be guided nature walks along trails such as the Viaduct Trail and Moniot Trail, as well as night explorations and a junior rainforest trail designed for students. Visitors can also explore the Crag Heritage Trail to learn more about The Crag, a property built in the mid-19th century as a sanitarium before being converted into a hotel and later a boarding school. In addition to the walks, Cheok said there will be talks on topics such as Conserving the Flora and Fungi of Penang Hill, Essential Tips for Hiking, Man and the Biosphere Reserve, and How the Rainforest Enhances Our Wellbeing. For those seeking hands-on experiences, the festival will offer activities such as bird photography, birdwatching, a Drosera adelae planting workshop, mushroom exploration, an animal armour workshop, batik painting, and a macro and nature photography workshop. Some of these activities are free, while others require a small participation fee. Cheok said pre-registration is required for some of the activities due to limited spots, especially for the nature trails. In conjunction with this year's festival, PHC also launched a postcard project today in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia Northern Region and ATEC College (School of New Media Design). Limited-edition sets of five postcards will be available for free redemption by visitors who post a photo or video taken during the festival — between July 18 and 20 — on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. To qualify, users must tag Penang Hill and ATEC College, like both pages, and use the hashtags #phf2025, #penanghillfestival and #atecpenang. The postcards are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be collected at the PHF2025 Information Counter near Dataran Bukit Bendera.
The Star
08-07-2025
- The Star
Penang Hill probe underway
Morbid discovery: Birds were among the animals found dead on Penang Hill. — Courtesy of Penang Hill Corporation Decomposed animals are believed to have been poisoned GEORGE TOWN: The carcasses of eight dogs, three cats and five birds were found along the Penang Hill jeep track in a decayed condition and emitted a strong stench, said Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng. Some appeared to have defecated, a sign of possible poisoning. 'We believe the animals were poisoned through food traps placed along the jeep track,' he said, adding that the Penang Veterinary Services Department is investigating the matter. On Sunday, The Star reported that several animals including dogs and cats were found dead – believed to be poisoned on Penang Hill. Penang Veterinary Services Department director Dr Saira Banu Mohamed Rejab said the officers would try to get samples of food eaten by the animals and check CCTV cameras in the area. She said the case is being probed under Section 29(1)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, adding that those found guilty can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to three years, or fined and jailed. Meanwhile, Penang Crime Consciousness and Public Safety Society chairman Datuk Mohamad Anil Shah Abdullah described the act of killing animals as cruel and inhumane. 'Regardless of whether the animals were strays or owned pets, the law protects all animals in Malaysia. 'If the public is unhappy with the presence or movement of animals, especially strays, they should report the matter to the Veterinary Services Department or the local council, which are authorised to take appropriate and humane action,' he said. He said that in relation to the Penang Hill case, it appeared the animals might have been poisoned. Malaysia, he added, has legal provisions to protect animals, including the Animals Act 1953, the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and Section 428 of the Penal Code. He said if action is needed, it must be taken by the proper authorities through legal and humane means. He emphasised that even pet owners aren't allowed to simply dispose of or kill their animals, adding that neglect or abandonment can pose public health risks, including disease spread and environmental hazards if carcasses are not properly managed. He added that owners must take full responsibility for their animals and ensure they are cared for, or handed over to the proper authorities if they can no longer manage them. 'Taking matters into one's own hands through cruelty is both morally wrong and punishable by law,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
06-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Police report lodged after dogs, cats found dead at Penang Hill
Some of the dogs and birds that were found dead at Penang Hill this morning. (Facebook pic) GEORGE TOWN : Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) has lodged a police report after the discovery of several dead animals, including dogs, cats, and birds, at various locations across Penang Hill. PHC general manager Cheok Lay Leng said the carcasses of seven dogs, three cats and five birds were found at multiple locations this morning, with some in open areas and spotted by the public. 'There might be more. We are still looking. We found food spread along the jeep track and a few locations,' he told FMT. 'We suspect the main targets are the stray dogs. There have been claims by hikers and visitors in recent weeks that they were bitten by strays.' Cheok said the agency will also lodge formal reports with the veterinary services department and the wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan) on Tuesday, besides conducting its own internal probe. Earlier today, Penang Hill posted on its Facebook page that the animals were believed to have been poisoned. 'Using poison to eliminate stray animals is unacceptable and is punishable under the Penal Code (Act 574) and/or Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Act 772) with imprisonment, a fine, or both,' it said.
Malay Mail
06-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Dead dogs, cats and birds found on Penang Hill as PHC lodges police report
GEORGE TOWN, July 7 — Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) has lodged a police report following the discovery of several dead animals—including dogs, cats and birds—at various locations across Penang Hill. According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), PHC general manager Cheok Lay Leng said the carcasses of seven dogs, three cats and five birds were found this morning, scattered in open areas and spotted by members of the public. 'There might be more. We are still looking. We found food spread along jeep track and a few locations,' he was quoted as saying. 'We suspect the main targets are the stray dogs. There have been claims by hikers and visitors in recent weeks that they were bitten by strays.' Cheok said PHC will also file formal complaints with the veterinary services department and the wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan) on Tuesday. The agency is also conducting its own internal investigation. Earlier today, Penang Hill posted on its official Facebook page that the animals were believed to have been poisoned. 'Using poison to eliminate stray animals is unacceptable and is punishable under the Penal Code (Act 574) and/or Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Act 772) with imprisonment, a fine, or both,' the post stated.
