Local councils to be fined, says Chua

From the NST

For the first time, local councils will be fined for failing to destroy mosquito breeding grounds. The Health Ministry will fine local councils RM500 for each breeding ground found in areas under their jurisdiction, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.

The councils will also be fined for breeding grounds found on their own premises. These fines are imposed under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act 1975.

All State and district health department enforcement officers can now issue compound notices against errant local councils.

The Health Ministry will also take to task those in charge of its own hospitals and clinics for allowing the Aedes to breed, he said.

The public, however, was not doing enough, he said after opening the second scientific meeting of the Malaysian Society of Hypertension in Kuala Lumpur today.

"They want the authorities to do all the cleaning up.

"When a community based clean-up operation is organised, they just sit at home and watch others do the work.

"These are the same people who keep complaining that the authorities are not doing a good job," he added.

Dr Chua said the Cabinet gave the Health Ministry the green light to take action against errant local councils nationwide at its weekly meeting on Wednesday.

"This clearly shows how serious the Government is in containing the dengue epidemic."

The move was necessary because the dengue outbreak was reaching serious proportions, he added.

"We expect the number of cases to increase within the next one to two weeks, probably very much more than what is being reported now."

Dr Chua had asked the authorities to act following numerous complaints and reports that local councils were not clearing up breeding grounds.

"Local councils should be more responsible."

In Malacca, all State Assemblymen were ordered to take the lead in cleaning up their constituencies.

They have been told to lead gotong-royong sessions at least twice a month as part of the effort to fight the dengue menace, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

The campaign would also involve local councillors, community leaders, the private sector and the public.

"The fight against dengue can only be won if everyone played their part in ensuring cleanliness," he said.

There was one death, in Alor Gajah, out of 29 cases reported in the State between Jan 1 and Jan 15.

Of these, 22 were in Melaka Tengah, six in Alor Gajah and one in Jasin.

Mohd Ali said gotong-royong sessions were previously carried out once a month.

Finally after being directed by the cabinet, the MOH will be taking action against errant local councils. But is a RM500 fine going to be effective against these errant local councils? The MOH will also take action against those in charge of its hospitals and clinics if Aedes are breeding in places under their charge. Looks like the MINIster is also aware that these 'health grounds' can also be Aedes breeding grounds. The public has also been reminded to play its part in keeping their own surroundings clean and free of Aedes.