KUALA LUMPUR – The Selangor state government has confirmed it will not intervene in the ongoing legal challenge against the state and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) over the ban on dogs in high‑rise residences.
Datuk Ng Suee Lim, Selangor’s State Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman, told Scoop that the matter would be left for the courts to decide.
“If they wish to pursue the matter in court, we will allow the judicial process to take its course. We will respect the court’s ruling and abide by its decision,” he said when contacted, adding that the state government did not intend to influence the proceedings.
The lawsuit was filed on January 19 at the Shah Alam High Court by former national hurdler and Olympian Noraseela Khalid, who is challenging the Licensing of Dogs and Kennel Establishments By‑Law 2007.
She argues that the by‑law contravenes both 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 of a high‑rise building.
Noraseela, who resides in a condominium in Petaling Jaya, is seeking to overturn this restriction, claiming it infringes on the rights of pet owners to fully enjoy their property.
She also contends that there is no evidence dogs or other pets have caused disturbances to neighbours.
Noraseela, who represented Malaysia at the 2012 London Olympics in the women’s 400m hurdles, is seeking a court declaration that the by‑law is unlawful and unenforceable.
Her lawyer, Rajesh Nagarajan, criticised the blanket ban, saying it was an example of the council acting beyond its legal authority.
“Rather than regulating responsibly, the council has imposed an arbitrary and unlawful ban without any evidence or proportional justification,” Rajesh said.
“Such overreach is legally indefensible, and when councils place convenience above constitutional rights, the courts must intervene.” — January 24, 2026