Reporting unsubstantiated news can hurt Sarawak’s reputation, says Uggah
KUCHING: The irresponsible reporting of unsubstantiated news will tarnish Sarawak’s reputation globally, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He appealed to journalists to be responsible in their reporting following a local newspaper publishing an unverified news report on Tuesday accusing the Department of Veterinary Services ( DVS) Sarawak of drowning stray dogs.
“Help us by not reporting on unsubstantiated news because once published, it will go viral all over the world and can damage the image of our country as a whole,” Uggah told reporters after launching the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico- Social Assistants ( CICIAMS) XX World Congress yesterday.
“News report must be done responsibly based on credible sources and according to evidence and facts. It is your responsibility. Please do not report based on pure rumours without substantiated evidence.”
On his surprise visit to the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory with the writer of the unsubstantiated article on Tuesday, Uggah said it was a spot check to see if such animal cruelty did happen.
“If I called up all the press members, the guy down there could have removed all the evidence. I really wanted to know because I didn’t know. It is really inhumane and illegal (if the dogs were drowned),” he said.
“So I managed to take the writer with me to the site. I am also taking a risk. If it is real, the next course of action is to take action against the person committing the act. But I was extremely happy that such a thing did not happen.”
Confirming that DVS has filed a police report against the local daily, Uggah explained the move is necessary to protect DVS employees.
“There are a lot of dog lovers in Sarawak and that type of news is an instigation and we do not know what some people are going to do in anger,” he said.
He reiterated that there is standard operating procedure (SOP) for the targeted removal of strays, which is strictly adhered to and observed by DVS, the lab, as well as related agencies.
“It has been decided that the operation must be carried out because rabies has already reached to a level in which it is a serious concern to us,” he said.
“The samples keep coming from various places in Kuching. This is a city, an administrative and a business centre, so people must feel safe here. Moreover, the public is also blaming us for not taking action, and so we did.”
He admitted the State Disaster Management Committee has had a very difficult time due to resistance from certain groups, which could hinder the government’s efforts in the fight against rabies.
“Engaging the stakeholders including SSPCA ( Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and SOS (Save Our Strays) group is crucial, and we have reached a positive understanding that something needs to be done to make sure rabies doesn’t stay in Sarawak,” he said.
“We have agreed also that the double- collar dogs caught will be handed over to the SOS. So far the targeted removal of strays operation has been going well and both SSPCA and SOS are with us in educating the public.”
Uggah stressed the government is committed to ensuring rabies is controlled and the target is to declare Sarawak rabies-free in three years’ time.
“To do that we need the cooperation and collaboration from the public. We need public support. So if any of the dogs are showing symptoms, please report to us and we will take action,” he added.