SHAH ALAM, Jan 25 — The state government will not interfere in the ongoing legal challenge against Selangor and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) over the ban on keeping dogs in high-rise buildings.
The Star reported state executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim as saying that the matter should be decided by the courts.
He said that Selangor respects the legal process and will allow the case to proceed in the High Court.
“If they want to bring it to court, we will let the court handle it. We will respect the court’s decision,” Ng said.
This comes after former national hurdler and Olympian Noraseela Khalid filed the lawsuit at the Shah Alam High Court on Jan 19, naming the state government and MBPJ as respondents.
She is challenging the Licensing of Dogs and Kennel Establishments By-Law 2007, arguing that it contravenes provisions under the Local Government Act 1976 and the Strata Management Act.
Under Section 8(2) of the by-law, residents are prohibited from keeping dogs in any unit above the ground floor in high-rise buildings.
Previously, Noraseela, who resides in a condominium in Petaling Jaya, sought to overturn the restriction, arguing that the council lacks legal authority to impose a blanket ban on dog ownership in strata properties.
She had previously said the regulation unfairly restricts pet owners and that there is no evidence to show that dogs or other pets have caused disturbances in high-rise residential settings.
