KUCHING, Feb 20: Rural residents should avoid hunting wild boars for now, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said this is to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) which has been detected in wild boars from across the border crossing into Kapit and Limbang.
Although wild boar meat is safe to be consumed by humans, he said kitchen leftovers if fed to domestic pigs would affect the said pigs.
“We have seen the deadly effect (of ASF) in many places and longhouses Statewide. The disease has greatly reduced the domestic pig population,” he said when officiating at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) triennial delegates’ meeting at Rh Mendit Unsu at Penom, Ulu Paku in Spaoh today.
Meanwhile on politics, Uggah urged party members to take the necessary steps to further strengthen PBB as the State government’s anchor party such as attracting more youth to become members.
He also said grassroot leaders should not shy away from giving feedback to their elected representatives on the people’s expectations for development programmes and welfare assistance.
“We need this feedback to be presented to the State leaders. The government is now prioritising income generating activities for rural folks through agricultural activities.
“We also have programmes to assist those seeking welfare assistance,” he said.
Accompanying Uggah were political secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Richard Rapu and Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat. — DayakDaily
