UK Videographer Claims Cat Meat Is Being Sold In Hidden Alley In Chinatown KL
At the time of writing, the videographer's Instagram post has gone viral with over 7,200 likes.
By Yap Wan Xiang - 07 Feb 2024, 04:31 AM
Cover image via InstagramA videographer from the UK claimed that he has witnessed a butcher allegedly selling cat meat in Chinatown Kuala Lumpur, prompting many Malaysians to urge authorities to intervene
The videographer took to Instagram yesterday, 6 February, to recount his alleged observation of the sale of cat meat.
In the 430-word post, the videographer said he saw people moving in and out of a worn-down doorway, and was curious about the activities behind it.
He noted that the alley did not appear to be a typical spot where tourists would wander. He suggested to his cousin that they investigate what lay behind the door together, but his cousin refused.
"I decided to go in alone to check what was happening inside," he wrote in the caption
Inside, he encountered a series of cubicles filled with various items, reminiscent of photos one might find in a National Geographic magazine.
"I took a few quick snaps and kept moving, until I saw another cubicle with something that caught my eye. I had heard stories that people eat cats, but it's always been very difficult to picture it.
"In front of me, I saw a kitten in a cage with [a] ladle resting on top. At the time, I simply thought, "Oh cool, probably someone's pet'," he said.
The videographer took a few photos and continued walking down the alley.
Image via Instagram
As he walked, he discovered that the place was actually an indoor market, teeming with vendors selling fruits and vegetables, among other things
"Though as I walked in, I immediately felt all eyes [were] watching me, as if I didn't belong.
"The place was grungy, incredibly dirty, and a place I knew you shouldn't have come to.
"As I kept walking, I felt like anything could've happened, and yet I had to take a moment to process what I was seeing," he said.
According to the videographer, he saw a meat stall with two cages on the counter, each containing one cat. He also claimed that the butchers were not selling chicken or beef.
"There was a label on top of the [cages] this time that read, 'Not for Sale. This is my pet. Not for eating'.
"I then saw a lady, who was dressed what felt like a Bond villain (she looked very cool, to be frank), go up to the counter, and there, right in front of me, the lady butcher cut up the cat meat.
"They both then started looking at me, as I tried to discreetly take my last photos. All I knew was that I had to, and wanted to, get out of this place quickly," he recounted.
The sign also indicates 'nicht zu verkaufen', which translates to 'not for sale' in German.
Image via Instagram
At the time of writing, the videographer's post has garnered over 7,200 likes and 300 comments
Netizens expressed horror at the alleged sale of cat meat in Petaling Street, with many of them urging the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to take action.
"Wait, I am [a] Malaysian and I didn't know that this exists? What? OMG!" read a top comment.
Celebrities, such as Nadia Aqilah and Yaya Zahir, also commented on the post.
Image via Instagram
SAYS has reached out to the videographer and DBKL for further details regarding the incident, but did not immediately receive a response.
Although the videographer's allegation may come as a shock to many, incidents of individuals selling cat meat in Malaysia are not unheard of
In 2017, Harian Metro published an article highlighting the presence of the cat meat market in Malaysia, particularly among Vietnamese foreign workers.
In 2019, New Straits Times also reported, citing an environmental rights group, about the prevalence of the cat and dog meat trade in Malaysia among foreign workers.
The existing legislation in Malaysia does not explicitly prohibit the trade or consumption of dog and cat meat, a matter that animal rights groups have been advocating to criminalise for more than a decade.
