Spotlight on dengue menace

Public hearing called to find out why Selangor has the most cases

SHAH ALAM: Two Selangor executive councillors are among those called to a public hearing on the dengue menace in the state.

They are State Health, Welfare, Women and Family Affairs executive councillor Dr Daroyah Alwi and State Local Government, New Village Development and Legalising of Factories Committee chairman Ean Yong Hian Wah.

State Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency chief Hannah Yeoh said the purpose of the hearing is to find out why Selangor has the highest number of dengue cases in the country.

“We will look at the cause of the dengue menace, implementation of preventive and control activities, expenses and efficiency of fighting dengue in Selangor,” she told a press conference yesterday.

Statistics from the Health Department showed that 63,198 dengue cases were reported in Selangor last year.

This year, the state recorded 7,335 dengue cases between Jan 1 and Feb 2 alone.

Yeoh said the hearing would also find out if the situation was related to poor waste management, as reported in the media.

A total of 20 people will be called during the one-day hearing at 10am on Feb 23. Among them are health directors from local councils and state land offices.

“Also invited are several residents’ associations that are active under the Subang Jaya Municipal Council,” she said.

Members of the public who want to attend should first register and must be in formal wear since the event is an extension of the state assembly, Yeoh added.

A report will be tabled at the state assembly next month or the following one.