Situation under control

Uggah satisfied with strategy to contain rabies outbreak in Serian

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said he is satisfied with the containment strategy adopted by the state to counter the outbreak of rabies in Serian.

Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Nat ive Land and Regional Development, said the situation was under control.

“I am satisfied with handling of the matter if we look at the cooperation of the public and big number of dogs and cats which have been vaccinated. I am satisfied with the SOP (standard operating procedure) in containing the outbreak – fi rstly by vaccinating cats and dogs and secondly, the removal of cats and dogs which look suspicious ( possibly infected with rabies),” he said when contacted by telephone yesterday.

He added that as of yesterday, 43 dogs were removed from the streets at ground zero in Serian.

Uggah acknowledged the strong presence of members of the public and private groups in assisting the 22 teams in the fight against the rabies outbreak at ground zero and also in areas within a 10km radius from ground zero.

He said the steps and actions taken would be reviewed from

I am satisfied with handling of the matter if we look at the cooperation of the public and big number of dogs and cats which got vaccinated. I am satisfied with the SOP (standard operating procedure) in containing the outbreak – firstly by vaccinating cats and dogs and secondly, removal of cats and dogs which look suspicious (of being infected by rabies).

Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Chief Minister

time to time in order for the war against rabies to be effective.

“Our concern for the people is as much as those in the whole country. With three lives lost and one more hanging in the balance, who does not? But I thank the people who cooperated with us – be they public or private groups – in beefing up our manpower to implement the vaccination programme,” he said.

SIBU: Four new National AntiDrug Agency (AADK) branches have been set up in the state to provide services on prevention, cure and enforcement.

State AADK director Wan Madihi Wan Salleh said the new branches in Serian, Kota Samarahan, Betong and Sri Aman started operation last year.

“This means there is AADK branch in almost every division in Sarawak, which gives service on the core business of prevention, cure and enforcement,” Wan Madihi told a press conference after the Community Empowerment Symposium on Fighting Drug Menace here on Saturday.

He added there are currently 11 AADK branches across the state.

Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) chairman and Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King officiated at the closing.

In his closing remarks, Tiong said the national drug policy was formulated to safeguard the harmony and well-being of the people, as well as to preserve national stability and endurance.

“The key objective of the policy is to eradicate the supply and demand with regard to drugs until the vision of drug-free Malaysia can be achieved,” he said.

He thus called on all strata of society to join hands to ensure a community that is free from drugs.

Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee, who is also Sibu Division Drug Eradication Action Council ( MTMD) chairman, was among those present.