KUALA LUMPUR: Police have arrested a suspect after a video of a monkey being spray-painted in a cage went viral on social media.

Sungai Buloh police chief Superintendent Mohd Hafiz Muhammad Nor confirmed that a police report was lodged at 2.10am today by a veterinary officer from the Petaling district.

He said the complainant had come across a five-second video clip circulating on Facebook, which showed a man spraying paint on a monkey in a cage.

The incident is believed to have occurred in Taman Desa Moccis, Shah Alam, Selangor.

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"Following preliminary investigation by the station chief, the Sungai Buloh police headquarters has classified the case as 'refer to other agencies', namely the Department of Veterinary Services and Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan)," he said in a statement today.

Hafiz said Perhilitan had also taken action by filing a separate police report regarding the arrest of a man.

The offence carried a fine from RM5,000 to RM50,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both upon conviction.

Police advised the public not to harm animals as it was an offence under the law, and also urged the public not to take any action that might disrupt public order.

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to visit the nearest police station or contact Sergeant Major Azmir Azriezal Ramli at 019-5665870.

Earlier today, two viral video clips circulating on social media showing aman spray-painting a monkey had sparked anger from animal lovers.

In the video clips, purportedly filmed in a residential area in Sungai Buloh, the monkey could be seen struggling in a cage as paint was sprayed on its body.

The Stray Animal Association of Malaysia (SAFM) president R. Kalaivanan condemned the man in the video and called for action to be taken against him.