Uggah: Anti-rabies actions lawful, follow SOP

KUCHING: All actions taken by the State Disaster Management Committee in tackling the rabies epidemic in Sarawak are lawful and carried out according to standard operating procedure.

Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who is Deputy Chief Minister, said the actions are in compliance with clauses ( 4), ( 37), ( 38) and ( 40) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, National Security Council Directive No 20 ( MKN 20), as well as the SOP on the use of firearms and entry into premises.

“Op Rabies Sarawak was declared as Level 2 disaster under MKN 20 on Jan 11 during the State Disaster Management Committee meeting on the rabies epidemic.

“Under the order, the Royal Malaysia Police is appointed as the operation commander for Op Rabies Sarawak,” he said when

Op Rabies Sarawak was declared as Level 2 disaster under MKN 20 on Jan 11 during the State Disaster Management Committee meeting on the rabies epidemic. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Deputy Chief Minister

chairing the Samarahan District anti- rabies operation post mortem meeting on Saturday, via a statement issued yesterday.

According to him, the operation is directed by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), which provided assistance in terms of money and facilities as well as deployed a team of animal doctors from the Department of Veterinary Services ( DVS) Malaysia.

Uggah also informed that no live bullets were used throughout the operation and that enforcement teams did not enter private premises to take action against dogs in the compound, without prior approval from the respective property owner.

“The presence of uniformed security members equipped with firearms was aimed to ensure the safety of the enforcement team throughout the operation,” he added.

On another note, the statement noted that 4,474 out of the 5,412 dogs in Samarahan have been vaccinated, with 1,331 canines vaccinated and 425 strays removed during the operation.

The vaccination percentage of Sarawak’s dog population stands at 82.7 per cent.

The next Op Rabies will be carried out in Kuching from April 22 to May 10.

Uggah (third left) is briefed by State Security and Enforcement unit director Dato Dr Chai Khin Chung (standing left) during the Op Rabies post-mortem meeting. Seated left is Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang.