Penguang lauds Bukit Assek rep’s call for actions to deal with rabies outbreak

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Datu Dr Penguang Manggil

SIBU: Elected representatives are urged to tell the public and advise them on their roles in assisting the relevant authorities in preventing the spread of rabies.

On this, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil commended Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang on her call for local councils to go on the offensive when it came to stray dogs and cats.

Irene had, on Thursday, said despite no rabid animals reported or caught in Sibu, stray dogs roaming the streets remained a constant complaint.

She believed that a large part of the problem arose because many people failed to cooperate by not keeping their pets indoors, urging the enforcement unit of Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to take stern actions against those refusing to keep their dogs vaccinated and indoors.

In this respect, Penguang remarked: “Thank you to Bukit Assek ADUN (elected representative) for her comments and suggestions. The ADUNs have roles to play, among which are to advise the councils, to educate the public and advise them on their roles of assisting the relevant authorities in preventing the occurrence of such disease, as well as to render all possible assistance in the interest of the people whom we serve while putting aside our political differences.”

Moreover, Chang also suggested for the government to issue a directive to make it mandatory for all pet owners to vaccinate their pets against rabies.

She said given the fact that rabies had affected 22 areas in the state in just three weeks showed that more needed to be done.

Chang pointed out that it was time for the government to mobilise its machinery in the whole state, rather than just in the rabies-infected areas.