KUALA LUMPUR: Olympian Noraseela Khalid has filed a lawsuit against the Selangor government and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), challenging a blanket ban on keeping dogs in apartment units.
In a suit filed at the Shah Alam High Court, Noraseela, who resides in a condominium complex in Petaling Jaya, argued that MBPJ has no legal authority to impose a sweeping and absolute restriction on pet ownership in apartments.
The former national athlete, who represented Malaysia at the 2012 London Olympics in the women’s 400m hurdles, is contesting the validity of MBPJ’s Licensing of Dogs and Kennel Establishments By-Law 2007, claiming it conflicts with federal legislation.
She contended that Section 8(2) of the by-law, which prohibits residents from keeping dogs in apartment units under MBPJ’s jurisdiction, exceeds the powers granted to local councils under the Local Government Act 1976 and the Strata Management Act.
Noraseela claimed the ban infringes on residents’ rights to fully use and enjoy their property, adding that there is no evidence to show that dogs or other pets have caused disturbance or nuisance to neighbours.
She is seeking a court declaration that the by-law is unlawful and unenforceable.
Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan said the local authority had imposed an unlawful and arbitrary blanket ban without evidence, proportionality or lawful authority.
“This is a clear case of a local council acting beyond its legal powers.
“Such overreach is legally indefensible, and when councils place administrative convenience above constitutional rights, the courts must intervene,” he said when contacted by the New Straits Times.
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