Sarawak steps up effort to curb rabies with awareness signage

Abang Johari (front row, fourth from right) and Uggah (third from left) pull down the curtain to reveal the rabies awareness signage during a brief launching of the event at the lobby of the DUN Complex.

by Karen Bong

KUCHING, Nov 13: Rabies awareness signage to warn the public about the danger and seriousness of rabies was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex this morning.

Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi were present.

Abang Johari, in a press statement, said the signage would serve as a permanent reminder to the public about the danger of rabies.

It is hoped the safety alert symbol with a red header that indicates the seriousness of the problem will draw the public’s attention and raise general awareness of precautionary measures in preventing rabies.

Flyers of the rabies awareness signage containing key information for the public were distributed to people at the DUN Complex.

With the coming into force of the new dog licensing and control by-laws starting this Dec 1, Abang Johari reminded that all the necessary action and enforcement would be enhanced to curb the spread of this disease.

He reaffirmed that his administration had and would continue to work tirelessly to combat this deadly virus, which was first detected in the state in July last year.

Abang Johari hoped the public would take ownership of this battle against rabies and act together to wipe out this deadly disease from the state.

The public is encouraged to message the 24-hour Rabies Hotline at 016-2051111 via WhatsApp to report any rabies-related matters. The public can also follow the Sarawak Disaster Information (SDI) Facebook page for the latest information on this matter. — DayakDaily