By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, June 22: The Sarawak government has established the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (Ibet) to guard the state’s borders in order to address the issue of rabies in Sarawak.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted Ibet will assist the state government in tackling rabies with the cooperation of the State Security Enforcement Unit (UKPN) and help to stop rabid dogs from entering Sarawak.
“The establishment of Ibet has been approved by the cabinet recently.
“Its establishment is to address the issue of rabid dogs that continue to enter Sarawak through its long and porous international border.
“With the setting up of Ibet that provides space for the various agencies to collaborate under UKPN, we can effectively pool resources together to stop rabid dogs from entering the state,” he said during a press conference at his office in conjunction with UKPN’s third anniversary celebration today.
Abang Johari added UKPN had played a leading role in coordinating operations to combat rabies throughout Sarawak.
He noted these operations had been rolled out in eight phases which started from Telok Melano in March 2019 and ended in Lawas in November.
As a result, 26,000 dogs had been vaccinated while 11,000 dogs had been put down.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari revealed that the Sarawak Coast Guard (SCG) will be established this year to address various issues including the encroachment of foreign and local fishing vessels as well as the subsequent loss of revenue.
He added that SCG is currently at procuring assets and recruiting personnel.
Abang Johari also said UKPN had played an active role assisting the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) in efforts to curb Covid-19 in Sarawak.
He also expressed his belief that UPKN’s participation has been a motivating factor and morale booster for other agencies to discharge their duties well.
Thus, he expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all UPKN members for their dedication to serve with honour to safeguard the state’s security and the well-being of Sarawakians.
Among those present at the press conference were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also SDMC chairman and UKPN’s director Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung. — DayakDaily
