Latest news with #DepartmentofVeterinaryServicesSarawak
Borneo Post
21-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
No more leniency, rabies enforcement to begin soon, Mayor warns dog owners
Wee stresses his point during the press conference. To his left is his deputy, Dato Zaiedi Suhaili. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 21): Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has issued a stern warning to irresponsible dog owners that enforcement action will begin very soon as part of ongoing efforts to keep rabies under control in the state. He said owners who fail to comply with the mandatory anti-rabies vaccination requirement for their pets would face a fine not exceeding RM2,500 under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999. 'The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) will start taking action very soon. 'I cannot tell you when, but it will definitely be within this year,' he told a press conference held in conjunction with the proposed single-storey community centre project at Hui Sing Park here today. He stressed that there no longer be leniency, pointing out that in the past, he had personally appealed to the higher authorities to reduce the compound to RM50 as a warning, in consideration of the difficult economic situation faced by many pet owners. 'Last time, I wrote to the higher authorities and said time is bad, please give this as a warning. So, we penalised people RM50 out of RM2,000,' he said. However, Wee said that despite the reduced penalty and repeated public education efforts, many pet owners still failed to vaccinate their pets or keep them secured, putting others at risk. 'Now people still don't want to listen. So, it's no longer fair. 'Enough is enough. We have done our part, and we expect pet owners to do theirs,' he added. He pointed out that authorities have continued to do their part such as increasing the number of free vaccination drives from twice to five times a year. 'We pay for these weekend vaccination drives. Who pays for the overtime? We pay. And when I say 'we', it's the taxpayers. 'Why should the wider community pay the price for a small group of people who are irresponsible?' he remarked. While the mayor acknowledged that recent rabies control efforts have shown encouraging results, with zero dog bite cases reported in the past week, he said MBKS is continuing to monitor the situation weekly with DVS, and stricter enforcement is needed to prevent complacency. 'We hope pet owners will take this seriously before we start issuing compounds. If your dog is not vaccinated, you will be fined. 'The penalties can go beyond just a fine. Under the law, the authorities also have the power to impose imprisonment in serious cases,' he said. dog owners enforcement lead rabies Wee Hong Seng
Borneo Post
13-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Mayor Wee urges vigilance as Sarawak logs three more rabies cases
File photo shows a pet owner bringing his dog for vaccination at a Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak's rabies awareness and immunisation programme. KUCHING (July 13): Sarawak recorded three rabies cases from July 7 to 11, two of which involved stray dogs, said Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. According to him, the two positive cases involving stray dogs occurred in Moyan Square, Batu Kawah, and Bintulu. 'The other case involved a pet dog from Lorong 3, Taman Sri Moyan, Batu Kawah,' he said during his Facebook live 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. Wee said all dog owners are required to send their pets for anti-rabies vaccination regularly, as stipulated under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999. Failing this, he said they will face a fine not exceeding RM2,500. He added that dog owners who fail to show proof of vaccination may also face legal action. Pointing out that rabies remains a public health threat to Sarawakians, the Mayor urged everyone to remain vigilant and do what they must to curb its spread. Wee also called upon pet owners to bring their dogs for the jab at a mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign to be held at the MBKS Dewan Masyarakat on Sept 20, in conjunction with the World Rabies Day. He said another similar drive is scheduled to take place at the Sarawak Basketball Association's premises in Taman Seng Goon on Oct 4. 'MBKS has been organising free anti-rabies vaccination programmes, and the last of its kind was held at the Mayor Song Swee Guan Park in Tabuan Jaya.' Wee hoped that dog owners will seize these opportunities to make sure that their pets are vaccinated against rabies. He said this is a move to protect not just their own pets but also their family and the community at large. He also reminded all that rabies is fatal, and that prevention is better than cure. lead new cases rabies vaccination drive wee hong seng
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Nanta leads dignitaries at Kedup Gawai Dayak open house (Video)
Nanta (right) follows Martin's lead while performing the traditional 'Bilangi' dance. SERIAN (June 8): Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi led a group of distinguished dignitaries at the Kedup Gawai Dayak Open House hosted by Kedup assemblyman Datuk Martin Ben in Kampung Bunan Gega yesterday. Nanta was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Angelina Ujang and Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat. Among the other notable guests were Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong, Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, Sarawak Economic Planning Unit director Datu Lester Matthew, Serian District Council chairman Dato Peter Minos, and Serian Resident Caroline Cleophas Joseph. Held at the Balai Babuk Barum Hall, the celebration featured cultural performances by the Kampung Mantung Merau cultural troupe and karaoke singing by invited guests. Though it marked the seventh day of Gawai, the festive spirit remained strong, with guests joining in the dancing and singing. A highlight of the day was Nanta and Martin joining in the traditional Bidayuh dance 'Bilangi', to the delight of those in attendance. alexander nanta linggi Kampung Bunan Gega Kedup Gawai Dayak Open House lead
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Fourth edition of rabies in Borneo conference coming up
KUCHING: The Rabies in Borneo (RIB) Conference enters its fourth edition this year and will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sept 30 and Oct 1. Organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, the event is supported by the Sarawak Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, the State Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Business Events Sarawak. Place Borneo in a statement said the conference comes at a crucial time, as Sarawak continues to battle rabies outbreaks with three new cases reported in Kuching, Samarahan and Bintulu between May 1 and 9 this year. 'According to the Sarawak Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, since the outbreak began in 2017, authorities have vaccinated 267,883 animals and conducted 4,858 tests, with 23 percent returning positive—a stark reminder of the virus's ongoing presence,' the statement said. Despite prevention efforts, it said the disease continues to impact both animals and people and the RIB 2025 theme, 'Rabies-Free Borneo: Uniting People, Animals, and Communities,' signified the urgent need for collective action. Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said rabies is not just a veterinary issue, but a public health and community issue and the state government remains fully committed to eliminate it once and for all. 'This conference is a crucial step in reaffirming our shared vision: a Rabies-Free Borneo. Together, we can and must end this outbreak,' he added. More information on the conference can be obtained at
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Rabies in Borneo 2025 Conference set for Sept 30 to Oct 1 in Kuching
A dog owner has their pets vaccinated against the rabies virus in this file photo. KUCHING (May 26): The fourth edition of the Rabies in Borneo (RIB) 2025 conference will take place from Sept 30 to Oct 1 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). Themed 'Rabies-Free Borneo: Uniting People, Animals, and Communities', the two-day event is jointly organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), with support from the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development; the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government; and Business Events Sarawak. Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, told reporters that the conference aims to bring together local and international delegates in a collective effort to eliminate rabies from Borneo, stressing the urgent need for coordinated action. 'We are trying to get global forces to come in and fight rabies in Borneo, knowing that it is a difficult task,' he said at a press conference held at his office inside the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today. Since the outbreak in 2017, 4,912 samples from animals were collected and tested, of which 1,021 (23 per cent) returned positive results – including 125 cases involving cats. 'To date, 84 human rabies cases have been recorded, including the most recent incident, with 76 deaths due to delayed medical treatment,' Dr Rundi revealed, adding that all rabies survivors had received early vaccination following exposure to animal bites or scratches. With the recent case of infection involving a 13-year-old boy in Kuching, he stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical attention to prevent the virus from spreading and causing death. 'Please seek immediate medical treatment after being exposed to animal bites or scratches. 'Death from rabies is preventable, but we need cooperation from the public to make this happen,' he emphasised. The minister also urged animal lovers and pet owners to play their part in curbing this issue. 'We can raise dogs, but we must make sure that they are licensed and vaccinated so that they will cause problems in the future,' he added. Also present were Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Martin Ben and Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud. Dr Stephen Rundi Utom lead rabies Rabies in Borneo Conference
