A restaurant owner in Johor, widely known for her compassion towards stray animals, recently faced backlash for feeding dogs, but the support she received afterward left her overwhelmed and grateful.
Despite the controversy, her commitment to caring for animals remains steadfast.
“All Creatures Are God’s Creation”
When asked what inspired her to feed stray animals, particularly dogs, the owner explained her perspective on kindness.
“They are Allah’s creations. It doesn’t matter if they’re considered haram. Whether it’s dogs, cats, or monkeys, I feed them all,” she shared.
This unwavering belief has driven her actions since childhood, and her love for animals grew into a lifelong commitment.
Dealing With Criticism and Boycott Threats
The owner, however, has not been spared from criticism. She shared the hateful messages she has received, with some accusing her of betraying her cultural identity.
“They say things like, ‘You’re Malay, running a Malay restaurant, yet you feed dogs, which are haram,’” she recounted.
Some even threatened to boycott her business, questioning why a Muslim would feed an animal perceived as impure.
Despite the backlash, she remains undeterred.
“I don’t cross boundaries with these animals. I just feed them—it’s not wrong. Why focus on the fact that it’s a dog and ignore that I’m also helping cats?”
A Message for Animal Lovers
To others who might face criticism for helping stray animals, she offered words of encouragement.
“All animal lovers have faced this. Don’t argue or fight back—stay focused on the animals. If we retaliate, we risk making the animals a target for harm, like poisoning or abuse.”
She urged fellow animal lovers to stay strong and prioritize the well-being of the animals. “Criticism is part of this journey. We must be strong for their sake.”
Uniting Communities Through Kindness
The controversy, however, had an unexpected outcome. Her viral video showing her feeding a stray dog brought people from different communities to her restaurant in a show of support.
“After the video, people from all backgrounds—Malay, Chinese, Indian—came to support me. It was heartwarming to see so much encouragement, especially from those who love dogs,” she said, adding that many of her new customers were from the Chinese community.
Gratitude and Lessons Learned
Overwhelmed by the surge in support, she expressed her gratitude to those who visited her restaurant.
“I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. I’m deeply touched by the support. To those who came right after the video went viral, I apologise if I couldn’t provide the best service due to the overwhelming crowd. I’ll work on improving.”
The experience also changed her perspective on the boycott threats.
“After the threats, my restaurant was struggling. But the video changed everything. Now, I feel 200% more positive. Thank you for supporting us.”
A Taste of Negeri Sembilan and Pet-Friendly Ventures
For those interested in trying her food, she recommended the restaurant’s signature dishes, including “Set Talam,” King Crab Masak Lemak Cili Api, Daging Salai, and Sidut Seput.
Beyond her restaurant, she also runs a pet shop, Masha Cat, which reflects her lifelong passion for animals.
Her final words to fellow animal lovers were clear:
“Let people say what they want. Stay strong. And to everyone who came to support, thank you for standing with me and my mission to help stray animals.”
If you would like to show your support or try her delicious food, visit Restoran Salai Star at:
Restoran Salai Star, 6G, Jalan Sagu 18,
Taman Daya, Johor Bahru.
You can watch our exclusive interview with Masha here:
