KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — Authorities raided the house of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Aliff Syukri Kamarzaman near Sungai Buloh yesterday morning, due to public complaints of his alleged abuse of his pet Savannah cat.
Sinar Harian reported that 15 officers from the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia and the Selangor Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) took one hour to inspect the physical conditions of the cat named Dodi and his residence.
The officers told the D’Herbs Holdings Sdn Bhd founder that he should provide a better den for the cat, after the cat was left caged in his toilet.
“We advised Aliff to prepare a more comfortable cat mat and provide better air circulation for his cat,” an unnamed spokesman told Sinar Harian.
“We advised for him to apply for a pet passport so his cat can have a more systematic medical record,” he added, admitting that Aliff has the legitimate permit to buy the cat.
Aliff had previously said he is currently building a “house” just for the cat.
The officers also found that the cat’s size was bigger than normal, and advised Aliff to reduce its meal portion.
In the past week, Aliff had complained on his Instagram account that he has spent nearly RM10,000 to “domesticate” and groom his cat over two years, but has so far failed to stop it acting hostile against him.
Aliff said that the cat has even scratched him, and would now be willing to sell it for RM50,000.
The millionaire also said he was willing to try “tricks” suggested by his followers to tame the cat, including starving the cat, letting it live with his sweaty clothes, and feeding the cat his saliva.
A Savannah cat is a cross-breed between the wild serval and a domestic cat, with a temperament that is closer to a dog rather than a cat.
It is common for Savannah cats to be socialised and playful with its owners and human owners with regular interaction since birth.
